Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria

Knowledge of Basic Sciences: Human Anatomy and Histology; Biology; Molecular Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Laboratory Diagnostics; Clinical Pharmacology; Physics; Physiology; General pathology.
Knowledge of General Clinical Sciences: Pathological Anatomy; Neurology and Psychiatry; Childhood Pathology; Medical Pathology; Medical Sciences; Childhood Pathology; Pathology and Therapy of the Head-Neck district.
Knowledge of Odontostomatological Clinical Sciences: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Diagnostic Imaging and Radioprotection in Dentistry; Dental Materials and Implant Prosthetic Technologies; Orthodontics and Clinical Gnathology I.
We underline the importance of review and knowledge of the concepts of physiology of the stomatognathic system already developed in the teachings of Physiology and Orthodontics and Clinical Gnathology I.
Properties of medical-dental language.

This teaching contributes to the educational objectives in the field of Odontostomatological Clinical Sciences of the Degree Course in Dentistry and Dental Prosthesis. The objective of the course is to convey the knowledge of the physiology of the masticatory function and its alterations which is the basis for understanding the etiopathogenesis and ingravescence of dental and basal malocclusions. Know the clinical significance of monitoring masticatory function in the context of orthodontic treatment. In-depth study of orthodontic equipment that corrects not only dental malocclusion, but also and above all masticatory function in the developmental age.
In particular, this teaching provides an in-depth knowledge of the masticatory function in humans, a fatal topic for any dental sector, as the important role of mastication as a stimulus to neurogenesis in the areas of the central nervous system dedicated to memory and function has now been acquired by recent international research results. 'cognitive activity both during growth and during aging, allowing, in the latter case, the control of cognitive decline. In the growing phase, knowledge of the actions and effects of orthodontic equipment capable of rebalancing and correcting impaired masticatory function is essential for treating children.
For this reason, the course includes:
- A first part dedicated to the kinematics of the mandibular movement, to the activation and coordination of the masticatory muscles and to the neural control and motor memory of the masticatory movement which represent the cause/effect of the malocclusion
- a second part dedicated to the understanding of the biomechanics of the functionalizing equipment for the simultaneous recovery of the dental malposition and the alteration of the motor memory of the masticatory pattern. Without this knowledge it is not possible to cure malocclusions in the evolutionary phase in a physiological and stable way.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- The acquisition of the complex knowledge described requires commitment and attention during the lessons and, above all, constant study as the topics are sequential and linked.
This teaching, if properly followed, will allow you to know:
- the physiology of the masticatory function:
- The mandibular pattern and kinetics, its complex characteristics of symmetry and mirror image of the movement, the ability to adapt to the load,
- the neuro-muscular characteristics (neuromuscular control and coordination of masticatory muscles).
- Know the dental and basal malocclusions associated with alterations of masticatory function
- Know in depth the actions and effects of orthodontic equipment capable of restoring the physiology of chewing.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The ability to apply the complex concepts previously described requires knowledge of the basic concepts and the ability to understand the correlations. For this, constant commitment is required during the succession of lessons. On this basis, without which the acquisition of any application skills will not be possible, at the end of this course, it will be possible to:
- correctly understand the masticatory patterns and the electromyography of the masticatory muscles during mastication.
- Apply knowledge of mastication physiology to the identification of the etiopathogenesis of malocclusions in the diagnostic phase and be able to evaluate positive or negative changes in masticatory function during orthodontic therapy.
- Early identification of patients at risk of malocclusion recurrence due to lack of or incomplete functional correction, as well as patients whose functional alterations are related to pathologies of other districts with relapse on the stomatognathic system.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
The acquisition of independent judgment requires long training times, the subject of the School of Specialization in Orthodontics. This teaching, at the level of the Degree Course in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, contributes to the formation of independent judgment based on the knowledge of the alterations of the masticatory function impacting on the occlusion/malocclusion of young patients, allowing to evaluate the implications of the various malocclusions on the growth of orthodontic patients and, therefore, the correct indication for their interceptive treatment.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Knowing how to communicate correctly in oral and/or written form, depending on the context, with patients and other specialists, also making reference to the current regulatory context, with proper language.
LEARNING ABILITY
Independent ability to learn the new scientific developments of the discipline, necessary to proceed with the teaching of Orthodontics II and for the continuous future professional updating required by current legislation.

Introduction
1. The masticatory function: phylogeny and ontogeny.
2. Instruments for recording masticatory function
Physiology of masticatory movement
3. The kinetic and dynamic characteristics of the human masticatory pattern.
4. Adaptation of the chewing pattern to the load.
5. The masticatory muscles.
6. The neuromuscular coordination of the masticatory muscles during chewing.
7. Adaptation to muscle load.
8. Neuromuscular control of masticatory function: the role of receptors in the stomatognathic system.
9. Reflexes and automatisms.
10. Feed-back and feed-forward control of mandibular movement.
Masticatory movement pathology
11. The alterations of the neuromuscular pattern and coordination in the condition of malocclusion:
to. Unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbite
b. Anterior crossbite
c. Deepbite
d. Openbite
The functionalizing appliance for the recovery of masticatory function
12. Recovery of physiological masticatory function after functionalizing orthodontic therapy
13. Biological and physiological reasons for the recovery of masticatory function:
to. Dentoalveolar actions and effects of functionalizing equipment
b. Cranial actions and effects of functionalizing equipment
c. Actions and postural effects of functionalizing equipment
d. Timing of functionalizing orthodontic therapy and recovery times of masticatory function
14. Relapse prevention.
15. Explanation of clinical cases.

The teaching includes 20 hours of lectures and the preparation of the presentation of one case with the recording of the masticatory function before and after therapy.

The exam program coincides with the program of the course. The scientific articles cited during the lessons are part of the exam programme.

The verification of learning, being a clinical specialty, includes a theoretical part and a practical one.

The theoretical part consists of

- a written test consisting of two open questions which allow students to develop the basic concepts, demonstrate reasoning skills, language properties and in-depth knowledge of the subject;

- an oral test. The written test can be discussed in the oral exam and does not provide for a numerical evaluation or eligibility or otherwise for the oral exam. The possibility of withdrawing before the oral exam without consequences on the subsequent exemption is recognised, but those who do not appear for the oral exam will also have to repeat the written test.

The practical part consists in the power point presentation of a case treated with functionalizing equipment and with targeted instrumental examinations before and after correction of the malocclusion. You will have to demonstrate that you understand

- functional etiopathogenesis,

- dental and baseline diagnosis of malocclusion

- the therapeutic plan

- to be able to explain the case using appropriate terminology

- to have personally carried out and photographed the cephalometric tracings

The methods of carrying out the teaching and exam activities may vary based on the limitations imposed by health conditions. In any case, remote mode is ensured for the entire academic year, in case of need.

Analysis and study of chewing patterns and the relative muscular activity of the case that will be presented for examination before and after therapy