Clinical relevant haptic simulation learning and training in tooth preparation

Abstract

Clinical dentistry is a complex activity which the procedure of most dental treatment are almost irreversible changes. Patient safety is a major challenge in clinical dental care. This is the reason why simulation-based learning and training is emphasized in dental education. In this article, the authors presented the clinical relevant haptic simulation learning and training in tooth preparation. The practical framework to set up the simulation environment from real patients in haptic 3D virtual reality dental training simulator Simodont® (Nissin Dental Products Inc., Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands). Then, the trainee can repeatedly practice in Simodont® before performing the clinical procedure on real patient. Taken together, the implementation of this model in dental education may not only enhance trainees' self-confidence and performance, but also facilitate patient safety during clinical dental care.

Keywords: Haptic simulation; Patient safety; Simodont® dental trainer; Tooth preparation.

Figure 1

A case of single crown preparation in clinical relevant haptic simulation environment. (A) Intra-oral view before #25 crown preparation. (B) Intra-oral scanning for left posterior maxillary arch. (C) Intra-oral STL model cropped by Intra Oral Scan Editor software. (D) Patient's virtual model in Simodont®. (E) Training procedure in haptic simulation environment. (F). Clinical picture of final crown preparation.

Figure 2

A case of #35 to #37 crown bridge preparation in clinical relevant haptic simulation environment. (A) Patient's intra-oral condition before #35 to #37 tooth preparation. (B) Aligning STL model to correct angle of axis and edited by Intra Oral Scan Editor software. (C) Manual instruments listed in Simodont®. (D) Setting clinical view and rotation angle for simulation environment. (E) Virtual simulation preparation view. (F) The correspondence clinical preparation view.