Department of Reconstructive Sciences

The Department of Reconstructive Sciences offers a series of courses spanning the four years of the dental school curriculum that focus on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary for the restoration of a physiologically functional and esthetic dentition. Doctoral-level graduate studies in dental materials are offered as a part of the Materials Science Department of the University of Connecticut. Clinical areas include operative dentistry, fixed prosthodontics, removable partial denture prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics and complete denture prosthodontics. An accredited graduate program leading to a specialty certification in prosthodontics and M.Sc.D. degree is also offered with the option for Ph.D. level studies in oral biology or materials science.

The UConn Craniofacial Tissue Repair and Regeneration Program provides research opportunities for dental students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Its faculty provide instruction in basic medical sciences and emphasize the links between basic medical sciences and clinical dental sciences. Curriculum includes oral anatomy, oral histology, skeletal biology, developmental biology, and connective tissue biology.

Department research includes laboratory investigations in biomaterials/dental materials, animal model studies on biocompatibility of materials, and clinical trials on prosthodontic/restorative procedures. Investigations also focus on skeletal biology, tissue structure and function, molecular biology, cell biology of matrix macromolecules, genetics, developmental biology and neurosciences. Research training is supported by institutional training grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.