Division of Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is that branch of dentistry dealing with the diagnosis and treatment the branch of dentistry designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and sometimes other oral structures or parts of the face with appliances, fixed partial dentures, removable complete and partial dentures, implants other artificial devices.  The goals of prosthodontics are to improve oral function and preserve the health, esthetics and function of the remaining natural dentition with the comprehensive approach of treatment planning for restoring missing teeth and jaw parts with interdisciplinary and phased treatment planning approach with other team of general dentists and specialists.  

Prosthodontics are sometimes called the “architects of the smile,” as they are highly trained specialists with a unique understanding of all the elements that go into a beautiful, functional and natural-looking smile, not just the teeth, but also the gums, lips, and facial features. When it comes to planning and carrying out a full-scale smile makeover, a team of dental professionals captained by a prosthodontist is assigned to each student at the College with carefully planned prosthodontic treatment plans for each assigned patient for the best education and clinical experiences for our students. 

The goal of the Department of Prosthodontics is to train general dentists to be proficient in diagnosis and treatment of patients requiring prosthodontic care including removable, fixed and implant prostheses, with major impact in restoring the patient function and esthetics concerns. The program has a pre-doctoral component with future vision to expand the program to include a post-doctoral residency program. Our students work with both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral programs and residents at the College of Dentistry and at Howard University Hospital to get exposure to a variety of prosthodontic clinical experiences in the comprehensive approach and treatment of their patients.  

The curriculum is designed to present the didactic and clinical treatment of patients with the focus to ensure students are proficient using the latest technological and digital implementations in restoring function including removable, fixed and implant prosthodontic care. The students are also involved in National Organization Presentations with research opportunities and protocols with publications at National Journals with annual awards and grants. The students must pass the written and clinical components of National Joint Commission Competency Examination to graduate from the College.