Publications > Academic Bulletin > Dr. Louis Blatterfein Department of Prosthodontics

Dr. Louis Blatterfein Department of Prosthodontics

Chair: Leila Jahangiri, B.D.S., D.M.D., M.M.Sc., Assistant Professor of Prosthodontics

Associate Chair: Ashok Soni, B.D.S., M.S.D., Associate Professor of Prosthodontics

Overview
The Louis Blatterfein Department of Prosthodontics has a long and illustrious history that parallels that of the College. It was one of the earliest departments established at New York College of Dentistry, as it was called at the time, and today, it is one of the largest in terms of the number of faculty members.

Curriculum
Prosthodontic Science: Prosthodontic science is related to the restoration and maintenance of oral function, comfort, aesthetics, and health of patient by restoration of natural teeth and/or replacement of missing teeth and craniofacial tissues.

Second Year
In the second year, students participate in a Complex Restorations I course. This course enables students to receive didactic information and the necessary psychomotor skills to perform steps related to clinical and laboratory procedures in fixed prosthodontics with special emphasis on a comprehensive treatment approach. Special emphasis is placed on occlusion, biomechanics, and the biological considerations of the periodontium. Students gain knowledge and experience by fabricating a variety of extra coronal, as well as full coverage restorations on simulated patient mannnequins. Complex Restorations II, which is given simultaneously, is a course in preclinical removable prosthodontics. Students are taught systematic sequential procedures for the fabrication of complete and removable partial dentures with emphasis on biomechanical compatibilities. Foundation knowledge and techniques are taught by lectures, videos, and demonstrations that are correlated with student laboratory exercises. The simulation courses (Complex Restorations I and II) prepare students to provide care for a wide selection of patients requiring prosthodontic care.

Third and Fourth Years
Third- and fourth-year students have opportunities to use and expand on the knowledge acquired in the simulation course by treating patients in a clinical setting. Special emphasis is placed on developing fundamental biologic and preventive principles with a progression to procedures that are more complex and sophisticated. Emphasis is placed, throughout clinical training, in maintaining and restoring function, aesthetics, and comfort of patients.

Honors Program in Prosthodontics
The program is offered to a select number of senior students who have demonstrated excellent skills, knowledge, and interests in fixed and removable prosthodontics. This course simulates a postgraduate prosthodontic program through comprehensive clinical patient care.

Research
Faculty in the Louis Blatterfein Department of Prosthodontics are engaged in an array of research projects including dental materials, epidemiology, clinical trials, tissue engineering, and molecular biology. Students interested in research projects are encouraged to team with appropriate faculty members. The department is committed to mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.