3D-Printed Multi-Coloured Teeth Comprising Material Gradients for Dental Education-A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Dental Education

Background:

• Standard dental training models lack realism in simulating diverse clinical conditions.
• There is a need for advanced educational tools that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate multi-material 3D printed teeth with realistic color and material gradients for dental training.
• To compare the efficacy of these novel training teeth against conventional models and extracted teeth.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing MultiJet technology for additive manufacturing of teeth with integrated enamel, dentin, pulp, and restorative materials.
• Designing teeth with varying color, hardness, and functional properties in a single printing process.
• Assessing student performance and perception through hands-on exercises involving caries removal and restoration placement.

Main Results:

• 3D printed teeth received high ratings for realistic perception (1.2 ± 0.8) and haptic impression (2.4 ± 1.2) compared to standard models.
• Evaluations of enamel, dentin, and carious lesions showed overall good to very good results when compared to extracted teeth.
• Specific features like amalgam fillings (1.2 ± 0.7) and caries lesions (1.0 ± 0.3) were rated exceptionally well.

Conclusions:

• Multi-material additive manufacturing holds significant potential for enhancing dental education.
• Students preferred the 3D printed teeth, finding them more representative of clinical reality than conventional acrylic or extracted teeth.
• These advanced training tools can significantly improve the simulation of clinical scenarios in dental education.