Aim: Learning tooth preparation techniques and the finesse required is an important part of preclinical dental education. Being able to practice surgical skills without loss of Frasaco teeth while being provided with performance analysis data is a boon to students and educators. The present authors investigated the combination of haptics-enhanced virtual reality (Simodont) and conventional phantom head practice in a preclinical dental course, evaluating the students’ performances and perceptions.
Materials and methods: Forty students were randomized into two groups: Group One worked within a VR-haptic setting, while Group Two worked with Frasaco teeth. Halfway through the course, the scenarios were switched. A crown preparation test on the Frasaco teeth was conducted at the end of the course. Students’ performances and satisfaction were assessed anonymously. Analysis of the students’ performances included clinical metrics (occlusal and axial reduction, convergence angle, damage to adjacent teeth). The perceived usefulness of VR-haptic and phantom head simulations was assessed.
Results: In Group One, the tooth preparation metrics were more in line with the requested parameters compared with Group Two. All students ranked VR-haptics highly with regard to manual dexterity improvement.
Conclusion: The present study shows that by combining VR-haptics with conventional dental procedures it is possible to improve important preparation metrics in fixed prosthodontics tooth preparation.
Keywords: dental training, manual dexterity, practice-based learning and improvement, VR-haptic simulation
