Abstract:

Objective To introduce a pedagogy that combines clinical cases and virtual simulation tooth preparation training in the clinical practice of prosthodontics. It can connect pre-clinical laboratory teaching and clinical practice, and also serve as an important part of the quality and admission control of tooth preparation before clinical practice. Methods Pre-treatment digital impressions were performed for patients who needed an anterior crown restoration. After digital aesthetic design, they were imported into the virtual simulation system. Interns finished the tooth preparation training under the guidance of the teacher, and the results were evaluated according to the standard of the Examination of National Clinical Physician Qualification. Only after the interns’ tooth preparation skills and quality had met the clinical operation requirements, they returned to the actual clinical cases to prepare teeth for patients to complete the whole process of treatment. Results The training of clinical cases combined with virtual simulation tooth preparation can effectively improve the level of tooth preparation with higher accuracy, efficiency and patient satisfaction. Conclusion The case-based virtual simulation training of tooth preparation significantly improves the tooth preparation skills of interns.

Key words: virtual reality, tooth preparation, prosthodontics, clinical practice, educational innovation