Three-Dimensional Pen-A New Teaching Learning Method for Teaching Masticatory Muscle Anatomy.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Anatomy Education
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing innovations include portable 3D pens with educational potential.
• The efficacy of 3D pens in teaching prosthodontic anatomy, specifically the muscles of mastication, is currently unexplored.
• Assessing 3D pens' impact on student comprehension of masticatory muscles is crucial for advancing dental education.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the effectiveness of 3D pens in prosthodontic education.
• Compare student understanding of mastication muscles using 3D pens versus traditional 2D diagrams.
• Gather student feedback on the use of 3D pens for anatomical learning.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized controlled interventional study was conducted with two groups: case (3D pen) and control (2D diagrams).
• Both groups received instruction on the muscles of mastication.
• The case group traced muscles on a 3D-printed skull using 3D pens; the control group drew diagrams. Pre- and post-tests assessed knowledge, with Mann-Whitney test for score comparison.

Main Results:

• The 3D pen group achieved a significantly higher mean posttest score (8.65) compared to the traditional group (7.48).
• This indicates a superior learning outcome for the 3D pen intervention in understanding mastication anatomy.
• The results highlight the potential of 3D pens to enhance knowledge acquisition.

Conclusions:

• 3D pens are effective supplementary tools for teaching anatomical structures like the muscles of mastication.
• Integrating 3D pens and similar technologies can foster innovative and engaging teaching methods in dental education.
• This approach may improve student engagement and retention of complex anatomical information.