Effect of a Standardized Training with Digital Evaluation on the Improvement of Prosthodontic Faculty's Performance in Crown Preparation: A Pre-Post Design

Evaluation of the effects of avatar on learning temporomandibular joint in a metaverse-based training

PURPOSE

Avatars, representing users in the digital world, can influence users' behavior and attitudes. This study evaluates the impact of representing dental students receiving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) education in the metaverse via an anonymous or identified avatar.

METHODS

Participants included 80 dental students in their fourth and fifth years of study. They were randomly assigned to either the avatar group (identified avatar) or the control group (anonymous avatar). Prior to training, participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a pretraining knowledge assessment. TMJ training was conducted in the metaverse for both groups. Pre- and post-training assessments included the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a shyness scale to ensure group comparability. A post-test consisting of five questions was administered to both groups after 2 weeks of training.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in pretraining scores for prior knowledge (p = 0.67), trait anxiety (p = 0.28), state anxiety (p = 0.92), or shyness (p = 0.42) between the avatar and control groups, indicating comparability at baseline. Post-training analysis revealed significantly higher post-test scores in the avatar group (median = 80) compared to the control group (median = 60) (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Metaverse environments offer various benefits for students, educators, and educational institutions in health education programs. Representing learners and their identities in training environments can enhance learning outcomes.

Absorptive Capacity of Gingival Retraction Cords in Hemostatic Solutions: An In Vitro Study

Background and Objectives: Gingival retraction is a critical pre-impression procedure in fixed prosthodontics, crucial for exposing tooth margins and ensuring accurate impressions for restorations like crowns and bridges. This study aimed to evaluate the absorptive capacity of different gingival retraction cords. Materials and Methods: Ninety samples each of Ultrapak (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT, USA) #00, braided cord, coreless thread, and monofilament thread (totaling 270 samples) were immersed in 0.9% NaCl, 10% aluminum chloride, and 12.7% ferrous sulfate solutions for 120, 300, and 1200 s. The liquid absorption capacity was measured using a gravimetric method, and the data were analyzed using an F-test, setting the significance threshold at p < 0.05. Results: The results revealed statistically significant differences in absorption, particularly for aluminum chloride and ferric sulfate (p < 0.001). Ultrapak demonstrated the highest absorption, followed by the coreless cotton thread, while the monofilament thread absorbed the least, especially at 1200 s. Conclusions: These findings indicate that Ultrapak's superior absorption could enhance moisture control during procedures, highlighting the importance of selecting an appropriate retraction cord for optimal clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in a clinical setting.

Evaluation of video teaching on resident competency for all-ceramic crown tooth preparation

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze the impact of live video instruction using digital evaluation of residents' performance in full ceramic crown preparation.

METHODS

Digital evaluation using CEREC computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) 5.1.3 software was conducted of preparation on a typodont for all-ceramic crowns of mandibular first molars (MFMs) with a radial shoulder finish line, carried out by 30 residents. Each participant prepared two MFMs: group A prepared the right side without live video instruction, and group B prepared the left side after instruction. All prepared teeth were scanned by Dentsply Sirona chairside CAD/CAM system with Omnicom to assess the inter-occlusal space, undercut, the finish line of the preparation, and surface texture. The data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-square, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and paired t-test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant in all tests.

RESULTS

Based on the Pearson Chi-square test, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of inter-occlusal space on the buccal and lingual surface of the prepared tooth, in the presence of rough surfaces before and after the preparation, and difference in the type of finish line. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a significant difference in convergence angle buccolingually and the remaining height of the prepared teeth before and after the video instruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of educational live video instruction can be helpful to residents in learning the principles of tooth preparation.

Influence of the Operator`s Experience, Working Time, and Working Position on the Quality of the Margin Width: In Vitro Study

Background and Objectives: Appropriate tooth preparation is mandatory to obtain a perfect marginal fit of fixed restorations. The heavy chamfer is the most commonly used finish line, especially for minimally invasive tooth preparation. The aim of the study was to compare the width of the finish line obtained during tooth preparation performed by experienced (university lecturers) and inexperienced persons (dental students) in different working times and positions. Materials and Methods: Forty left upper-second molars were prepared on the simulator by each participant, totalizing 160 prepared teeth. A new round-end tapered diamond was used to obtain the 0.5 mm width of the heavy chamfer. The prepared teeth were photographed using a Canon D5300 camera with a macro lens attached to a tripod. The measurements were made with the Image-Pro Insight software selecting the same eight reference points. From these points, perpendicular lines were drawn above the finish line to the axial walls and the distance between the chamfer's outer edge and the axial wall's inner edge was measured. GraphPad Instat and NCSS Dowson Edition software were used. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) were calculated. The used tests: one sample t-test, ANOVA test, and Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test. Results: Statistically significant differences were obtained according to the experience of the participant, preparation time, patient's position, and the chamfer width on the prepared tooth different surfaces. Conclusions: Daytime or weeklong tiredness and patient position do not affect the width of the heavy chamfer prepared by experienced and inexperienced persons. The experience and the operator's working position influence the width of the prepared finish line.

A diagnostically and digitally driven tooth preparation protocol by using a patient monitoring tool with an intraoral scanner

Finding the right balance between the preservation of tooth structure and providing adequate space for the restorative material is a major challenge in prosthetic dentistry. A technique is presented using the patient monitoring tool available in standard software programs of an intraoral scanner to constantly monitor preparation dimensions in relation to the optimal definitive restoration.

The national dental undergraduate clinical skills competition known as the Guanghua Cup: an innovative and effective program that promoted undergraduate dental education in China

BACKGROUND

The National Dental Undergraduate Clinical Skills Competition known as the Guanghua Cup was held in Guangzhou, China, for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 to promote the clinical teaching of undergraduate dental education and to enhance communication among different universities. The present study aimed to introduce the organization, procedures, and consequences of the competition, in addition to analyzing the influences of competition on the reform of undergraduate dental education.

METHODS

By analyzing the descriptive statistics of the Guanghua Cup, the competitions' organization, the participating students' performances, and the outcomes of competitions were analyzed. After distributing questionnaires to all participants of the 2nd and 3rd Cups, their attitudes towards the competition and their evaluation of the role of the competitions in promoting undergraduate dental education were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 24 schools participated in the 3 competition years. The contents of the competitions covered cariology, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, dental anatomy, and first aid (e.g., operative skills and theoretical knowledge). Compared with those of the 2nd Cup, the mean scores of the operative skills significantly improved in the stations related to periodontology, prosthodontics, and dental anatomy (p < 0.05) in the 3rd Cup. In addition, 338 valid questionnaires were collected, for a response rate of 87.79 %. Overall, the participants spoke highly of the Guanghua Cup. Based on their self-perception and self-evaluation, the majority of interviewees agreed that the competition helped develop collegiality and teamwork among the participating students, improved the students' clinical skills and promoted the improvement of teaching resources (e.g., purchasing and updating equipment, models or experimental materials).

CONCLUSIONS

The competition enjoyed the widest coverage since it involved dental schools from all of the different geographical regions of China. Dental students could exhibit their clinical skills in a competitive environment and develop collegiality and teamwork. Future competitions should be optimized through their organization and contents. The education quality of the participating schools affected by such competition should be investigated in a more objective and comparable way.