Investigation on the Effectiveness of Digital Scanning Combined with Reverse Engineering Technology in Demonstrating Full Crown Tooth Preparation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of digital scanning combined with reverse engineering technology in the demonstration of full crown tooth preparation.

Methods: Thirty-one students were randomly divided into the two groups. The students in the control group carried out traditional demonstration by the use of eye-measurement methods. The students in the experimental group carried out improved demonstration by the use of digital intraoral scan with 3D measurement data. The students in both groups were provided with two resin teeth to conduct full crown tooth preparation on head model dental simulators. The teeth prepared before and after demonstration were scored by Chinese Stomatological Association Group Standards, with a total score of 100 points. Analysis of covariance was performed to comparatively analyze the scores related to the tooth surfaces, and convergence angle between two groups.

Results: Analysis of two prepared teeth (tooth #11 and #16) in two groups showed that there was a statistical significant difference in the mean score between the control group and experimental group (tooth #11, P = 0.0039) (tooth #16, P = 0.0120).The demonstration of the tooth #16 showed that there were statistical significant differences in the scores related to buccolingual surface (P = 0.0205) and proximal surface (P = 0.0023) between the control group and experimental group; There was a statistical significant difference in the score related to the convergence angle of buccolingual surface between the control group and experimental group (P = 0.0265).

Conclusion: The digital methods can effectively improve the quality of tooth preparations and has a pedagogical advantage for posterior teeth, which present greater operational challenges.