Virtual Preparations Versus Classic Preparations on Resin Models in Prosthodontics

Virtual reality technologies are important auxiliary tools in the process of learning and acquiring the manual skills necessary for clinical maneuvers in dental prosthodontics. This study shows the particularities in the use of the virtual simulation system designed for dental prosthodontics, compared to the classically preparations performed on resin models. The interactively simulation systems reproduce real clinical situations in which students practice specific dental prosthetics maneuvers. Resin models do not reproduce the accuracy of the dental structures at the time of the preparation. The advantages of using virtual technology are efficient clinical training, allowing for repeatability, self-assessment of procedures and the acquisition of manual skills. In this way, the advantages conferred by virtual simulators are superior to those resulting from the use of resin models in the acquirement of manual skills.