Comparative analysis of dental students’ preferences and satisfaction with procedures and outcomes using resin 3D-printing and conventional methods for provisional restoration fabrication

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Dental and Medical Problems

Abstract

Background. The integration of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) into dental curricula has enabled students to learn crown preparation using both CAD/CAM technology and the conventional methods, as well as to compare the accuracy of onlay designs and the overall quality of restorations. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a comprehensive CAD/CAM exercise on second-year dental students’ perceptions of the digital workflow for provisional indirect restoration fabrication as compared to the conventional provisional restoration fabrication techniques. Material and methods. The inclusion criteria comprised second-year dental students who completed both the practical activity and the survey. Students who did not complete either the practical activity or the survey were excluded. The exercise simulated a clinical scenario in a pre-clinical simulation laboratory, using a typodont model. Students prepared 2 first molar teeth for a non-metallic onlay restoration – tooth 36, using the conventional method, and tooth 46, using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. A seven-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate areas of interest, including technique preference, satisfaction with the fit of the restoration, its anatomy, interproximal contacts, the intaglio surface, occlusal adjustments, and the ease of polishing. Results. A total of 125 students (52.74%) completed the proposed activity. Among the variables examined, only the interproximal contacts of the 3D-printed onlays demonstrated statistical significance (p = 0.0178). Significant differences between the conventional and 3D-printing methods were observed across several survey parameters, including preference, fit, anatomy, interproximal contacts (within each cohort), the intaglio surface, and occlusal aspects (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The CAD/CAM provisional indirect restorations were rated better by second-year students than the provisional restorations fabricated using the conventional method.

First Page

349

Last Page

356

DOI

10.17219/dmp/203641

Publication Date

3-1-2026

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