Functions and Dysfunctions of the Craniofacial and Masticatory Systems
In the core curriculum every student will conduct the diagnostic work-up, documentation and planning for 10 patients. Initial therapeutic measures may already be started in the core module. Diagnosis and planning will involve interdisciplinary networking.
The initial diagnostic measures serve to establish the functional condition of the patient and then determine the potential for therapy. Consultations with the dentist, functional therapist, orthodontist, or involving additional specialties, will serve to establish the initial therapeutic steps with the purpose of deciding the definitive therapy. Initial therapy includes medication for acute pain, physiotherapeutic interventions, behavioral therapy, biofeedback and hypnosis. Alternatives based on complementary medicine will be addressed; targeted occlusal therapy and aids for conditions of muscular and occlusal origin will also be studied. A special section will be devoted to conservative and invasive treatment of the craniomandibular joints. The creation of a treatment plan for the section Initial therapy
will be a subject of common concern throughout
the course.
Patients who require more extensive orthodontic measures will be documented
by the students. Then treatment will then be
planned in an interdisciplinary manner together
with orthodontic specialists and the patients will
be treated during the course.
Occluso-articular preliminary treatment
and preliminary treatment of the temporomandibular joints
Planning will be based on diagnostic grinding and diagnostic wax-up on the pin model. Preliminary treatment of the craniomandibular joints will be conducted by means of individual occlusal therapy and the use of aids.
Preliminary periodontal treatment will also be discussed in the team and conducted by the students under the supervision of specialists.
Individual basic restoration and endodontic measures that may be required will also be conducted by the students under the supervision of experts.
Oral surgery, if required, will be performed either independently by the team or by qualified oral surgeons of Danube University Krems. This also applies to the combined planning of implant prosthetics and the subsequent steps of surgery.
Content and Structure of the Core Curriculum :
Basic Principles
Module A:
Functional feedback control system
The path to diagnosis and therapy
Structures of the masticatory organ
Evolution of man, evolution of the masticatory organ
Clinical and instrumental diagnostics
Lateral X-rays: theory and practice
Theory and Demonstration of the Practical Application of Functional Diagnostics
Module B:
Medical history and the Occlusal index
Programming the articulator
Summation of results
Transfer of the hinge axis
Correlation of findings
Additional diagnostics
Instrumental functional analysis
Imaging procedures
Theory and practice of cephalometry
Theory and Practice of Instrumental Registration of Lower Jaw Movement
Module C:
History of joint path registration
Condylography
Transfer of the coordinate system into
(the imaging technique)
CADIAX
The imaging technique
CADIWAX
Graphic registration of joint paths
The individually milled joint path
Practical aspects of the hinge axis
Theory and Practice of so-called Regular Dentition
Module D:
The arch of the active centric
Diagnostic wax-up
The concept of the occlusal plane
Diagnostic set up
The sequential concept of the excentric
Occlusal measures such as basic restoration
The front teeth
Occlusal harmonization (grinding and set-up, provisional therapeutic aids)
The canine tooth
Endodontics
Periodontal conditioning
Case documentation / Case planning
Module E:
Live demonstration based on model patients
Diagnostic re-evaluation
Decision concerning therapy
Independent development of solutions
Practical implementation
Final treatment plan and cost plan
Discussion of patient documentation
Educating the patient
Viability and affordability, economy from a social viewpoint
Management of the processes of therapy
Final examination
Module F:
Personal presentation of the documented patient cases by the course attendees
Final summary of all topics of the course
Discussion of treatment plans
Final examination on theoretical chapters and patient documentation
Goal of the Core Curriculum:
The essentials of collecting reports and carrying out diagnostic procedures will be taught. After the course the attendee will be in a position to identify and execute all diagnostic steps in the functionally disturbed patient, and design a treatment plan based on such knowledge.