Comparative Performance of Haptic Virtual Simulation vs. Conventional Training in Class V Cavity Preparation: A...

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Virtual Reality Simulation
• Operative Dentistry

Background:

• Haptic virtual simulation (HVS) is a developing tool in dental education.
• Limited evidence exists comparing HVS to conventional preclinical training methods.
• Effectiveness data is crucial for integrating HVS into competency-based dental curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare Class V cavity preparations using HVS versus conventional training on extracted teeth.
• To evaluate preparation time and cavity volume in both training methods.
• To assess the efficacy of haptic simulators in preclinical dental education.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-one extracted human molars were digitized via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to create virtual replicas.
• A calibrated operator performed 122 standardized Class V cavities (61 real, 61 virtual).
• Preparation time and cavity volume were recorded; cavity volume was calculated using digital superimposition of STL models.

Main Results:

• HVS resulted in significantly shorter preparation times compared to the conventional method (p < 0.001).
• Virtual preparations yielded slightly larger cavity volumes, with a statistically significant but clinically small difference (p = 0.047).
• Preparation time was significantly reduced with HVS.

Conclusions:

• Haptic virtual simulation is more time-efficient for Class V cavity preparation.
• Cavity volumes produced by HVS are comparable to conventional training methods.
• Haptic simulators are a valid and effective adjunct for preclinical operative dentistry skill acquisition.