Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
09:10
Digital Hybrid Model Preparation for Virtual Planning of Reconstructive Dentoalveolar Surgical Procedures
Published on: August 5, 2021
1.9K
3D Digital technology as an alternative educational tool in preclinical dentistry
Shelyn Akari Yamakami1, Manavi Nagai2, Supattriya Chutinan3
1Department of Restorative Dentistry & Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, University of São Paulo, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, US.
Summary
3D digital scanning offers a comparable alternative to conventional methods for assessing dental student cavity preparations. While effective, students preferred traditional self-evaluation techniques over digital ones.
Area of Science:
- Dental Education
- Digital Health Technology
- Assessment Methods
Background:
- Advancements in 3D digital scanners enable innovative assessment methods in dental education.
- Maintaining educational quality is achievable with novel assessment techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare conventional and 3D digital scanned assessments for student cavity preparations.
- To evaluate student and faculty perceptions of both assessment methods.
Main Methods:
- Predoctoral students completed Class II amalgam and Class III resin composite preparations.
- Calibrated faculty assessed preparations using conventional dental instruments and 3D scanned images.
- Statistical analysis compared faculty scores; students self-assessed and completed perception surveys.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was found between conventional and digital assessment scores for Class II and Class III preparations.
- Faculty scores showed a trend of comparability between the two assessment methods.
- Most students found digital ideal preparation models useful and digital technology beneficial for learning operative dentistry, but preferred conventional self-assessment.
Conclusions:
- 3D digital technology serves as a viable alternative or supplementary tool in dental education.
- It can effectively uphold the quality of dental education and assessment.
- Further exploration of digital tools in preclinical competency examinations is warranted.
