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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
Guided Endodontics: Three-Dimensional Planning and Template-Aided Preparation of Endodontic Access Cavities
Published on: May 24, 2022
A Novel Self-Assessment Method for Training Access Cavity on 3D Printed Endodontic Models
Matteo Meglioli1, Giovanni Mergoni1, Francesco Artioli1
1Center of Dental Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy.
Background:
New technologies can facilitate the transition from pre-clinical to clinical settings. We investigate students' satisfaction with a novel learning method adopted in access cavity exercises.
Methods:
Students performed their access cavity on inexpensive, in-house 3D printed teeth. Their performances were evaluated by scanning the prepared teeth with an intraoral scanner and visualized using a mesh processing software. Then, the same software was used to align the tooth prepared by the student and the teacher's one for self-assessment purposes. Students were asked to answer a questionnaire about their experiences with this new learning method.
Results:
From the teacher's perspective, this novel learning approach was easy, straightforward and affordable. Overall, student feedback was positive: 73% found that access cavity assessment by scanning was more useful compared to a visual inspection under magnification and 57% reported that they had a better understanding of errors and mishaps. On the other hand, students pointed out that the material used to print teeth was too soft.
Conclusion:
The use of in-house 3D printed teeth in pre-clinical training is a simple way to overcome some of the drawbacks associated with extracted teeth, such as limited availability, variability, cross-infection control, and ethical constraints. The use of intraoral scanners and mesh processing software could improve student self-assessment.
