BDS Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge Syllabus

Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge in BDS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Prosthodontics

   2 topics

   • History and Evolution
     • Ancient Prosthodontics
     • Modern Prosthodontics
   • Scope and Importance
     • Clinical Applications
     • Research and Development
2. 2

   Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

   3 topics

   • Patient Examination
     • Medical History
     • Dental History
     • Clinical Examination
   • Diagnostic Tools
     • Radiographs
     • Diagnostic Casts
     • Digital Imaging
   • Treatment Planning
     • Case Selection
     • Prosthetic Options
     • Patient Consent
3. 3

   Complete Dentures

   3 topics

   • Impression Techniques
     • Primary Impressions
     • Final Impressions
   • Jaw Relations and Articulation
     • Vertical Dimension
     • Centric Relation
     • Facebow Transfer
   • Try-in and Insertion
     • Wax Try-in
     • Denture Insertion
     • Post-insertion Adjustments
4. 4

   Removable Partial Dentures

   3 topics

   • Design Principles
     • Kennedy Classification
     • Major and Minor Connectors
     • Rest Seats
   • Fabrication Techniques
     • Framework Construction
     • Acrylic Processing
   • Maintenance and Repair
     • Routine Care
     • Repair Procedures
5. 5

   Fixed Partial Dentures (Crown & Bridge)

   4 topics

   • Tooth Preparation
     • Principles of Tooth Preparation
     • Types of Margins
     • Occlusal Considerations
   • Impression Techniques
     • Conventional Impressions
     • Digital Impressions
   • Provisional Restorations
     • Materials Used
     • Techniques of Fabrication
   • Cementation Procedures
     • Types of Cements
     • Cementation Techniques
6. 6

   Implant Prosthodontics

   4 topics

   • Introduction to Implants
     • Types of Implants
     • Osseointegration
   • Surgical Phase
     • Surgical Planning
     • Implant Placement
   • Prosthetic Phase
     • Impression Techniques
     • Abutment Selection
     • Final Prosthesis
   • Maintenance and Complications
     • Routine Maintenance
     • Managing Complications
7. 7

   Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

   4 topics

   • Introduction and Scope
     • Types of Maxillofacial Defects
     • Prosthetic Options
   • Surgical and Prosthetic Planning
     • Pre-surgical Planning
     • Post-surgical Rehabilitation
   • Fabrication Techniques
     • Materials Used
     • Techniques of Fabrication
   • Patient Management
     • Psychological Considerations
     • Follow-up Care
8. 8

   Occlusion

   3 topics

   • Basic Concepts
     • Types of Occlusion
     • Occlusal Plane
   • Occlusal Analysis
     • Articulators
     • Occlusal Equilibration
   • Occlusal Adjustments
     • Selective Grinding
     • Splints and Guards
9. 9

   Dental Materials in Prosthodontics

   4 topics

   • Impression Materials
     • Types of Impression Materials
     • Properties and Manipulation
   • Denture Base Materials
     • Acrylic Resins
     • Metal Alloys
   • Crown and Bridge Materials
     • Ceramics
     • Metal-Ceramics
     • Composite Resins
   • Implant Materials
     • Titanium
     • Zirconia

Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge flashcards for BDS

24 of 50 cards from the Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define prosthodontics as per the Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms.

   Prosthodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues, using biocompatible substitutes.

2. Name the four recognized branches of prosthodontics.

   Fixed prosthodontics (crown & bridge), removable prosthodontics (complete and partial dentures), maxillofacial prosthetics, and implant prosthodontics.

3. Who is regarded as the 'Father of Modern Dentistry,' and what landmark 1728 text did he author?

   Pierre Fauchard; he authored 'Le Chirurgien Dentiste' (The Surgeon Dentist), which systematized dental knowledge including prosthetic replacements.

4. What material did Alexis Duchateau and Nicholas Dubois de Chemant introduce for dentures in the late 18th century, replacing ivory and animal bone?

   Porcelain (mineral) teeth — the first successful porcelain dentures, patented by de Chemant in 1791.

5. Vulcanite revolutionized denture bases in the 19th century. What advance in the 1930s-40s replaced it as the standard denture base material?

   Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an acrylic resin, which became the standard heat-cured denture base material.

6. State the primary objectives (scope) of prosthodontic treatment.

   To restore esthetics, restore and maintain masticatory function (phonetics and mastication), preserve remaining oral structures (teeth and bone), and maintain the health of the stomatognathic system.

7. During intraoral examination for a fixed prosthesis, list the key factors assessed on the proposed abutment teeth.

   Crown-to-root ratio, root configuration, periodontal status (attachment level, mobility), tooth vitality, existing caries/restorations, and the abutment's position and angulation.

8. Define crown-to-root ratio and state the minimum acceptable ratio for a tooth to serve as a fixed abutment.

   It is the ratio of the length of tooth coronal to the alveolar crest versus the length of root within bone. Optimum is $2:3$; the minimum acceptable ratio for an abutment is $1:1$.

9. State Ante's Law regarding abutment selection for a fixed partial denture.

   The combined pericemental (root surface) area of the abutment teeth should be equal to or greater than the pericemental area of the teeth to be replaced by the pontic(s).

10. Which radiographic techniques are most useful in fixed prosthodontic diagnosis, and what do they reveal?

    Periapical (IOPA) radiographs and CBCT — they reveal crown-to-root ratio, root morphology, periapical pathology, alveolar bone level, caries, and pulp chamber/canal anatomy.

11. In treatment planning, what is a diagnostic wax-up and its purpose?

    A diagnostic wax-up is a preview of the planned restoration created in wax on mounted diagnostic casts. It evaluates esthetics, occlusion, and contour, guides tooth preparation, and serves as a template for provisionals.

12. Differentiate between an inlay and an onlay.

    An inlay is an intracoronal restoration fitting within the prepared cavity without covering cusps; an onlay is an extracoronal/intracoronal restoration that covers one or more cusps (occlusal surface).

13. List the components of a conventional fixed partial denture (bridge).

    Retainer (abutment restoration), pontic (replacement for missing tooth), connector (joins pontic to retainer), abutment (supporting tooth), and pier/abutment terminology; the pontic replaces the edentulous space.

14. Define a pontic and name the ideal pontic design for esthetic anterior regions.

    A pontic is the artificial tooth of a fixed partial denture that replaces the missing natural tooth. The ovate pontic is ideal esthetically as it emerges from a soft-tissue depression giving a natural emergence profile.

15. Classify connectors in fixed prosthodontics.

    Rigid connectors (cast, soldered, or welded — provide rigid union) and non-rigid connectors (e.g., dovetail key-and-keyway, allowing limited movement to relieve stress, e.g., in pier abutment situations).

16. Why is a non-rigid connector indicated in a five-unit bridge with a pier (intermediate) abutment?

    A pier abutment acts as a fulcrum; physiologic tooth movement creates a class I lever that can dislodge the terminal retainer. A non-rigid connector (stress-breaker) allows independent movement and reduces this leverage stress.

17. List the classic finish line (margin) designs for tooth preparation and one indication of each.

    Chamfer (metal margins/PFM lingual), Shoulder (all-ceramic, facial PFM esthetics), Shoulder with bevel (cast metal esthetic margins), Knife-edge/feather (inclined surfaces, not preferred), and Radial shoulder (esthetic ceramics).

18. What is the recommended total occlusal convergence (taper) for an ideal crown preparation, and why is taper important?

    An ideal total occlusal convergence is $6^\circ$ (about $3^\circ$ per wall). Adequate but minimal taper ensures retention and resistance form while allowing a path of insertion; excessive taper reduces retention.

19. Define resistance form and retention form in tooth preparation.

    Resistance form prevents dislodgement of the restoration by forces directed apically or obliquely; retention form prevents removal along the path of insertion. Both improve with longer walls, minimal taper, and parallel opposing surfaces.

20. State the concept of biologic width and its clinical significance in crown margin placement.

    Biologic width is the combined dimension of junctional epithelium (~0.97 mm) and connective tissue attachment (~1.07 mm), totaling approximately $2.04$ mm above the alveolar crest. Margins violating this space cause chronic inflammation and bone loss; a minimum of ~2 mm of sound tooth structure should exist between margin and crest.

21. How much occlusal/incisal reduction is generally required for a metal-ceramic (PFM) crown versus an all-ceramic crown?

    PFM: approximately $1.5$–$2.0$ mm occlusal reduction (to accommodate metal + porcelain). All-ceramic: approximately $1.5$–$2.0$ mm incisal and $1.0$–$1.5$ mm axial reduction depending on the ceramic system.

22. Classify dental impression materials by their setting mechanism.

    Reversible (physical set): agar hydrocolloid, impression compound. Irreversible (chemical set): alginate, elastomers (polysulfide, condensation silicone, addition silicone/PVS, polyether), zinc oxide eugenol, and impression plaster.

23. Which elastomeric impression material has the best dimensional accuracy and stability, and what is its main byproduct concern?

    Addition silicone (polyvinyl siloxane/PVS) has excellent accuracy and dimensional stability. Its concern is hydrogen gas release during setting (may cause pitting if poured too soon) and inhibition of set by latex/sulfur contamination.

24. Describe the putty-wash (two-stage) and single-stage impression techniques.

    Putty-wash: a putty is used to make a preliminary impression, then a low-viscosity wash captures fine detail in a second stage (or single mix). Single-stage/dual-viscosity: heavy body in the tray and light body around the preparation are set simultaneously in one step.

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