Bogdanov Todor G, Hikov Todor A, Uzunov Todor, Kirov Dimitar, Milanov Nikola, Galeva Hristina
Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, BGR.
Prosthetic Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, BGR.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 3;17(4):e81644. doi: 10.7759/cureus.81644. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Recently, developments in digital technologies have significantly transformed dental education and practice. This study aims to assess students' knowledge and interest in digital dentistry and evaluate the implementation of 3D-printed models in dental training. A survey was conducted among 249 dental students to gauge their understanding of digital technologies, their willingness to deepen their knowledge, and their perceptions of advantages and limitations compared to conventional methods.
Following the survey, 3D-printed dental models with removable dies were fabricated using high-resolution resin printing technology and distributed among first-year dental students. Over 13 weeks, students utilized these models for prosthetic training, performing procedures such as wax modeling, casting, and polishing of dental crowns. The study assessed the models' durability and categorized defects based on their location and cause.
The results revealed a high level of student interest in digital technologies, emphasizing the necessity of integrating modern tools into dental education. Statistical analysis of the defects in the 3D-printed models highlighted critical areas requiring improvement, particularly concerning mechanical handling. Additionally, correlation analyses of student responses indicated that those who perceive digital tools as beneficial for their future careers are more inclined to adopt them in practice.
The findings underscore the importance of digitalization in dental training, highlighting both its benefits and areas for refinement. Enhancing processing techniques and optimizing training methodologies can further improve the quality of 3D-printed models and their effectiveness in dental education.
近年来，数字技术的发展极大地改变了牙科教育与实践。本研究旨在评估学生对数字牙科的知识和兴趣，并评估3D打印模型在牙科培训中的应用情况。对249名牙科学生进行了一项调查，以了解他们对数字技术的理解、加深知识的意愿，以及与传统方法相比对其优缺点的看法。
调查之后，使用高分辨率树脂打印技术制作了带有可移除铸模的3D打印牙科模型，并分发给牙科一年级学生。在13周的时间里，学生们使用这些模型进行修复训练，进行诸如牙冠蜡型制作、铸造和抛光等操作。该研究评估了模型的耐用性，并根据缺陷的位置和原因对其进行分类。
结果显示学生对数字技术兴趣浓厚，强调了将现代工具融入牙科教育的必要性。对3D打印模型缺陷的统计分析突出了需要改进的关键领域，尤其是在机械处理方面。此外，对学生回答的相关性分析表明，那些认为数字工具对其未来职业有益的学生更倾向于在实践中采用它们。
研究结果强调了数字化在牙科培训中的重要性，突出了其优点和有待改进的方面。加强加工技术和优化培训方法可以进一步提高3D打印模型的质量及其在牙科教育中的有效性。
