Validation of Digital Evaluation in Systematic Training on Tooth Preparation in Aesthetic Veneer Rehabilitation

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of systematic video training on tooth preparation in veneer restoration and the practicability of the application of the digital evaluation system of scan design and assessment software.
Methods: Ten residents were selected from a group enrolled on the first-year programme for the National Standard Training of Dentistry in the Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology, Ninth People’s Hospital Affliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine. First, each student prepared five teeth based on their knowledge and clinical experience, and then received systematic video training on veneer preparation. Before and after the training, the evaluation of the effects of training was conducted on the prepared teeth by measuring the continuity of the finishing line and tooth reduction amount automatically using the prepCheck 2.0 (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) CAD/CAM system.
Results: The results showed a significant difference in the quality of finishing line continuity pre- and post-training. Furthermore, the data for tooth reduction after training, which met standard values, improved remarkably, increasing from 32.40 ± 7.82% to 60.50 ± 5.48%.
Conclusions: Video training could significantly enhance the quality of tooth preparation for veneers. Moreover, the digital evaluation system could serve as an ideal alternative for tooth preparation evaluation for preclinical students, offering new insights for clinical education.