Simulating submandibular area with everyday-use materials in dental education: A didactic US study

The aim of our study is to prepare a head-neck phantom model for ultrasound suitable for submandibular anatomy to be used in the education of research assistants in the department of radiology in dentistry, and to compare different materials for this purpose.

To make the planned phantom model, we used aluminum foil suitable for the curvature of the mandible instead of bone, pasta, or parsley stalk and balloon/glove to mimic the myofascial structure instead of muscles, tube of an infusion system instead of blood vessels, ketchup/mayonnaise/honey instead of gland structures (in a small balloon), and small balloons filled with water or mayonnaise with a tube of an infusion system or pipette instead of lymph nodes.

After the examinations, it was decided to put ballistic gel for soft tissue, aluminum foil for bone, spaghetti and ketchup in a balloon for muscle, mayonnaise in small balloons for lymph nodes, ketchup in a balloon for submandibular gland, and a tube of an infusion system for the artery.

The submandibular region phantom can be a useful tool for learning the sonoanatomy of the head, neck, and submandibular region and improving the ability to use ultrasound. The advantage of the prepared model is that it is easy to use, prepare and apply materials accessible to any dentist, and can be used over and over again.