Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery - Dental Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 16 text:

PROSTHETICS EARLE B. HOYT, D.D.S. At certain periods some specific fields of any pro- fession become static. This occurs in many ways; but basically because of a widespread acceptance throughout the profession of an accumulation of fundamental facts. Until new facts are unearthed, or those which had previously been regarded as true are proven false, this condition of stasis continues. In the division of restorative dentistry, that part which is known as crown and fixed bridge prosthe- sis assumes currently such a role. It cannot be said though that the foregoing ap- plies to either full or partial denture prosthesis. Here we have a condition of active unrest and in- vestigation which is an outgrowth of dissatisfac- tion with pre-existing professional and educational standards. In addition to a general attitude of skepticism, there has occurred within the past five or more years an influx of new materials for den- ture purposes as well as a hitherto unthought of impression material. Specific reference is made to the acrylics; to the substitutes for precious metals, which are used under the trade names of Vitallium, Ticonium, and others; and the impression material group known as hydrocolloids. Coincidentally with the introduction of these materials, the horizon of restorative possibilities has been tremendously widened but not without increased problems for the practitioner and the educator. Both the acrylics and the metal substi- tutes have been evolved commercially and not from within the profession. The resultant dependency of the profession therefore on outside groups is increased, and the responsibility thus created is not being squarely met. The processing of the precious metal substitutes, because of the need for extensive equipment and the time factor involved. has placed the commercial dental laboratory in a commanding position. This is especially true when the practitioner is more than willing to delegate his. sole prerogative of diagnosis and prescription to such hands. Obviously this creates a condition in which a university trained dentist accepts and passes along to his patient, as his own, the diagnosis and prescription of those totally unprepared by education or clinical observation to give. The sole bulwark against such a situation is the university itself. It alone can accumulate, corre- late, and distribute accurate knowledge and ac- cepted truth. This department has inaugurated a ten-year study of the chaotic partial denture field to the end of evaluating and comparing the results of varying diagnoses and technical procedures. There is much in the full denture technique that requires clarification and simplification from an educational standpoint. As contributing factors, the current year will see the introduction of a new syllabus on full denture technique as well as a con- cise statement of denture problems for lav informa- tion. Two staff members have contributed note- worthy studies — one in the field of the acrylic resins and the other on the resultant factors of bite closure as related to impaired hearing. The latter study- was carried out in conjunction with the Ear. Nose, and Throat Department of Presbyterian Hospital and brings new light on the biologic factor in den- tal prosthesis. A further experimental study is under way in which restorative mouth procedures are reproduced in experimental animals. The biologic application of all restorative measures through mechanical means is of supreme impor- tance and presents a field inadequately explored. EARLE B. HOYT. D.D.S.

Page 15 text:

CARL R. OMAN. D.D.S. I ssociate Prof, of Dentistry GEORGE F. LINDIG, D.D.S. .fssistanl Prof, of Dentistry IRVIN L. HUNT. Jr. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry RICHARD CARSON B.S.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry EDWARD H. KOCH A.B.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry HERBERT P. FRITZ B.S.. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry MILTON R. MILLER B.S.. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry V WILLIAM MILLER B.S.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry

Page 17 text:

H. RR A. VOL ' NG DJJ.S. Assistant Prof, of Dentistry |()HN F. RALSTON D.D.S. Issistant Prof, of Dentistry DONALD |. W. McLAUGH] IN D.D.S. Assistant Prof, of Dentistry GILBERT P. SMITH D.D.S. Assistant Prof, of Dentistry MORELL D. McKENZIE D D.S. Instructor in Dentistry HENRY J IN EM ANN A.B.. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry HAROLD S. WOODRUFF D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry NORMAN W. BOYD B.S., D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry WILLIAM C. WOHLFARTH Ph.B.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry GERARD L. COIRTADE A.B.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry HAROLD J. ZERR A.I!.. D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry