Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Prosthodontics and restorative dentistry tests material selection, preparation design, occlusion, and treatment sequencing for crowns, bridges, removable prostheses, and implant restorations.
Core rules
- Preparation follows retention, resistance, and preservation of tooth structure. Ferrule, taper, and occlusal clearance determine success.
- Provisional restorations protect the pulp, maintain position, and test esthetics and occlusion before final impressions.
- Adhesion: enamel bonding is more predictable than dentin bonding; contamination control and moisture management are critical.
- Removable partial denture design should distribute load, use rests and guide planes, and avoid damaging abutments.
- Implant restorations need passive fit, cleansable contours, and occlusion that avoids overload.
- Vertical dimension changes require a tested provisional phase and a stable occlusal reference.
Worked example
An endodontically treated molar has lost both marginal ridges and one cusp. A post is not automatically required. If at least two walls and a ferrule remain, a bonded core and cuspal-coverage crown are preferred; a post is considered when retention is inadequate. The decision is driven by remaining structure, not by the fact that the tooth had root canal treatment.
Traps
- Placing a post in every endodontically treated tooth.
- Underpreparing for ceramic thickness.
- Ignoring occlusal clearance in parafunction.
- Designing a removable prosthesis without rests or guide planes.