International Journal of Computerized Dentistry, Pre-Print
Petrie, Cynthia S. / Hayes, Katherine / Scott, Joanna M. / Walker, Mary P.
Seite 1 – 16
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of digital impressions made by 3rd and 4th year dental students using a retrospective record review at one US dental school during a one-year period.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five (125) digital impressions and the produced restorations were evaluated after reviewing patient records related to quality assurance. Effectiveness and acceptability of digital impressions and restorations were associated with the students educational level, number of prepared teeth scanned, the type of produced restoration, and the restorative material, using Fisher’s Exact Chi-square tests. All dental students had previous education in the digital curriculum in their preclinical education.
Results: Ninety-one percent (91%) of the digital impressions were acceptable and eighty percent (80%) of the produced restorations had clinically acceptable margins. Impression approval and restoration acceptance were not affected by student’s educational level, number of preparations, or restoration type. Restoration acceptance was significantly affected by restorative material (p=0.039), with higher rates of acceptable marginal integrity found with glass ceramic and zirconia materials.
Conclusions: Within the parameters of this study, 3rd and 4th year dental students after having extensive education in the preclinical curriculum, can utilize digital impressions effectively for clinical practice. Dental schools can and should educate students in digital dentistry and the results of this study show that with adequate educational experiences, dental students can use digital impressions effectively for clinically acceptable restorations.