Evaluation of the use of a guided bur during preclinical teaching of tooth preparation: A pilot study

Abstract

ObjectivesAn innovative calibrated bur, aiming to improve precision during reduction of the incisal edge, was recently proposed to guide practitioners during tooth preparation. However, limited information is available concerning its usefulness in dental preclinical education. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether using this innovative guided bur improves learning experience quality and the performance of students during tooth preparation.Material and methodsAfter having provided written consent, 60 second‐year students were divided into two groups. One group used a 1‐mm rounded bur to perform depth grooves, whereas the second group used the innovative guided bur, consisting in a 2‐mm‐depth marker with a stopping surface. Once the grooves were obtained, they were then connected using the same wheel bur in both groups. The aim was to obtain a final 2‐mm reduction of the incisal edge. Quality of the learning experience (stress level, motivation to restart, self‐evaluation of the preparation, and difficulty) was quantified using a visual analog scale. Duration of the procedure was also measured in both groups. 3D measurements for each tooth were performed using an STL comparison software.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in terms of stress and self‐evaluation of the preparation. Students in the guided bur group reported significantly lower perception of exercise difficulty (p < .001) and significantly higher motivation to restart the procedure (p < .001). The guided bur group performed the procedure in 16.4% less time than the rounded bur group. The use of the guided bur led to a 23% over‐reduction, whereas the use of the rounded bur led to a 10% under‐reduction.ConclusionsOverall, the present study shows that the guided bur provides significant improvement in the student's learning experience with increased motivation and decreased perception of difficulty. It shortens the duration of procedure performance, but it also induces a reduction in preparation accuracy.

Effect of different dentin thicknesses between floor of pulp chamber and furcation area, alone or with addition of MTA, on fracture resistance in mandibular molars (An in-vitro study)

“…16,17 Depth marker burs were used to establish holes in the floor of pulp chamber in a depth of 1 mm and 2 mm layers rather than the conventional inverted cone bur, in order not to rely on manual abilities and personal experience. 18 A proper and standardized results can then be obtained.…”

Immersive 3D Educational Contents: A Technical Note for Dental Educators

“…A large number of other applications based on IOS and 3D files to improve learning and assessment of students during tooth preparation is possible [22][23][24]. It was also proposed to use 3D files as 3D printed educational tools in medical education [25].…”

Accuracy of the preparation depth in mixed targeted restorative space type veneers assisted by different guides: An <i>in vitro</i> study

“…A series of techniques have been applied to guide the prepara-tion depth [10]. The bur-guiding technique uses a calibrated bur to prepare reference grooves, and the preparation depths are measured by evaluating the submerged depth of the bur [11,12]. However, deviations between the definite restoration and the original tooth have been reported to influence the depth evaluation of bur-guiding preparation.…”