The soap carving versus the digital sculpting: Evaluation of students’ preferences and performance in dental anatomy course: Pilot study

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in students’ preferences between soap carving (SC) and digital sculpting (DS) methods after obtaining tooth with both methods, their opinions about the methods and their performance in the dental anatomy course. Materials and Methods The SC and DS methods were demonstrated. Students were asked to obtain a maxillary central incisor by both methods and to record time. Students’ preferences were asked both before and after applying both methods. The level of significance for statistical analysis was set at p ≤ .05. Results Forty first year preclinical students (24 female, 16 male) participated in this study. Their mean age was 19.38 years ±1.00 year. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean time of the DS method according to gender (p = .004) and the mean time of DS and SC methods for females (p = .015). There was also a statistically significant difference between preferences of students for “In the future while treating the patient in the clinic, I learned with ………… method in the preclinic will be more useful for me.” statement, before and after applying both methods (p = .034). Conclusions The obtaining the tooth of the students with DS method were longer than with SC method (especially in the females). After applying both methods, the students changed their minds that learning the information about the SC and DS methods would have a similar effect when treating patients in the clinic.

Objective evaluation of tooth carving using homologous models

“…In contrast to the studies by Kilistoff et al., 5 Garrett et al., 11 and Bilir et al., 3 which analyzed 36, 57, and 40 products, respectively, 120 tooth carvings were analyzed in the present study. To analyze the characteristics of the morphology by principal component analysis, it would be necessary to further increase the amount of data analyzed in the future as various factors may emerge as the amount of data increases.…”

“…1,2 Understanding the anatomy of the teeth is also important for achieving proper morphology of crown restorations and prostheses, and tooth carving has been shown to be effective in improving performance. 3,4 Tooth carvings are evaluated subjectively by an evaluator with knowledge of the anatomical form of the teeth. [1][2][3][4][5] However, subjective evaluation is associated with disadvantages, such as variation in the evaluation by different evaluators and unstable evaluation due to repeated evaluation by the same evaluator.…”

“…3,4 Tooth carvings are evaluated subjectively by an evaluator with knowledge of the anatomical form of the teeth. [1][2][3][4][5] However, subjective evaluation is associated with disadvantages, such as variation in the evaluation by different evaluators and unstable evaluation due to repeated evaluation by the same evaluator. 6 In recent years, objective evaluation using digital technology, which involves the superimposition of threedimensional (3D) shapes using the best-fit function to compare 3D shapes, has been incorporated into the evaluation of abutment tooth preparation.…”

“…Tooth carving helps students understand the anatomy of the tooth and its landmarks and express that knowledge in form 1,2 . Understanding the anatomy of the teeth is also important for achieving proper morphology of crown restorations and prostheses, and tooth carving has been shown to be effective in improving performance 3,4 . Tooth carvings are evaluated subjectively by an evaluator with knowledge of the anatomical form of the teeth 1–5 .…”

Assessment of the students’ performance and support needs in a novel digital carving exercise

“…12,18 While limited research is available around the use of digital carving in dental anatomy education, evidence suggests that it has potential as an adjunct teaching tool. 12,19,20 One strength of digital carving relates to today's generation of learners, often labeled as Generation Z. 20 Given their tech-savviness, researchers suggest that digital carving is one way in which dental education can cater to the needs of today's learners.…”