Department of Prosthodontics

Head of the Department:  Anna Vardanyan, Associate Professor, PhD

Department of Prosthodontics

History

The Department of Prosthodontics was founded in 1977. Prior to its establishment, the discipline was taught within the unified Department of Dentistry (1963-1968) and Therapeutic and Prosthodontic Dentistry (1968-1977).

Over  the years, the department was headed by:

• Associate Professor E.Gevorgyan (1977-1986)
• Associate Professor E.Kilikyan (1986-1988)
• Associate Professor E.Gevorgyan (1988-1989)
• Professor V.Melkumov (1989-1990)
• Professor V.Kirakosyan (1990-2006)
• Associate Professor V.Bakalyan (2006-2010)
• Associate Professor M.Petrosyan (2010-2019)

Since 2019, the department has been headed by Associate Professor Anna Vardanyan, PhD.

In 1998,through the efforts of the department staff and the Armenian Health Society of Washington,a unique regional clinic for comprehensive maxillofacial prosthodontics was established. The clinic operates at the Central Military Hospital and serves as a center for education, treatment and research in maxillofacial prosthodontics.

In 2006, University Dental Polyclinic N3, affiliated with the department, was founded. The clinic provides modern educational and clinical facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate training, as well as specialized dental care for patients.

In 2020, the Association of Prosthodontists was established through the initiative and efforts of department staff, aiming to promote professional development, scientific cooperation, and continuing education in the field of prosthodontics.

Teaching at the department is conducted through lectures, seminars, and practical clinical classes. The educational process is focused on developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in prosthodontics.

Students are trained in the diagnosis, treatment planning, prevention, and rehabilitation of patients with partial and complete edentulism, defects of the maxillofacial region, temporomandibular disorders, and occlusal dysfunctions. Special attention is paid to modern technologies and evidence-based approaches in fixed, removable, and implant-supported prosthodontics.

Postgraduate education includes Clinical Residency and PhD programs, each lasting three years. During clinical residency training, residents independently examine patients, establish diagnosis, develop treatment plans, and perform prosthodontic treatment using various orthopedic constructions under faculty supervision. Clinical case presentations,scientific discussions, and interdisciplinary consultations are  regularly conducted as part of the educational process.

The department also actively participates in continuing professional development programs and organizes specialized training courses for practicing prosthodontists.

The scientific and research activities of the department are focused on current problems and modern approaches in prosthodontics and maxillofacial rehabilitation.

The main research direction includes:

• Modern treatment methods for complete and partial edentulism using fixed and removable prosthetic construction
• Prevention of complications and errors associated with prosthodontic treatment
• Diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal and temporomandibular dysfunctions of the maxillofacial system
• Functional occlusion and articulation disorders
• Modern biomaterials and digital technologies in prosthodontics
• Maxillofacial rehabilitation and prosthetic management of acquired and congenital defects

The department’s staff actively participates in scientific conferences, international congress, and collaborative research projects.

The department maintains close scientific and educational cooperation with leading foreign universities and professional organizations.

Guest professors and collaborators of the department include Professor Sarkis Nalbandian, founder and director of the International College of Dentists, member of the Australasian Academy of Prosthodontics, member of the Australasian Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, member of the Specialist Stream in Prosthodontics, as well as Artavazd Kharazyan, Head of the Maxillofacial Service of the Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (Russian Federation).

The department has established active cooperation with:

• the University of Porto (Portugal),
• the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain),
• the Department of Prosthodontics of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).

These collaborations include academic exchange programs, scientific research, joint educational projects, lectures by international specialists, and participation in international congresses and workshops.

The clinical work of the department is carried out in university clinics affiliated with the department. Students, residents, and postgraduate trainees are actively involved in patient examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical rehabilitation under faculty supervision.

Clinical activities include:

• Fixed prosthodontics
• Removable prosthodontics
• Implant-supported prosthodontics
• Maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation
• Functional diagnostics of temporomandibular disorders
• Occlusal rehabilitation and complex multidisciplinary treatment

Modern diagnostic and treatment methods are implemented in clinical practice, including digital technologies, contemporary impression techniques, articulator systems, and CAD/CAM-based prosthetic rehabilitation.

Since 2023, the department has organized continuing education and professional development courses for prosthodontists on the following topics:

• “Specifics of Fixed Prosthodontic Treatment”
• “Current Issues of Prosthodontics”

These courses are aimed at improving the professional competencies of dentists and introducing modern clinical protocols and technologies in prosthodontic practice.