Comparison of digitally assessed quality of posterior crown preparations performed with and without previous practice on patient-specific three-dimensional-printed teeth models.

INTRODUCTION: Three-dimensional (3D)-printing technology can provide customizable simulations, but its effects on patient care quality have not been well studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of practicing with patient-specific 3D-printed teeth models on the quality of patients' dental preparations performed by students transitioning to clinical training. Accordingly, the quality of posterior crown preparations was evaluated by objectively analyzing digital scans and grades in two groups: the study group, which practiced beforehand with patient-specific 3D-printed teeth models, and the control group, which did not practice with these models. METHODS: All 78 fourth-year dental students who had just finished their fixed prosthodontics course at the simulation laboratory with training on phantom heads and without previous clinical experience in crown preparations were invited to participate in the study. Sixty-eight agreed to take part and were randomly divided into a study group that practiced crown preparations on 3D-printed models of their own patient's teeth and a control group that did not practice with 3D-printed models and started their clinical work straightforwardly after simulation training. Students completed validated perception questionnaires on self-confidence and clinical skills before and after the protocol, which were compared using a chi-squared test. Crown preparations performed on 3D-printed models and then on patients were digitally scanned and objectively graded by prepCheck software for critical parameters, such as undercuts, taper, and occlusion reduction. Non-parametric tests were used to compare preparations on 3D-printed models and on patients performed by the study group and those on patients made by the control group. RESULTS: Initially, both groups reported similar perceptions of self-confidence and clinical skills levels. The study group significantly improved both aspects after the protocol. Analysis of the scanned preparations demonstrated that the study group removed less tooth structure from actual patients than from the initial 3D-printed models. In contrast, the control group showed excess occlusal clearance in their patients compared to the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing patient-specific 3D-printed teeth before performing procedures clinically appears to enhance preparation quality and minimize unnecessary tooth reduction in early clinical experiences.

Students' and tutors' perceptions of a deliberate simulated practice using patient-specific virtual and three-dimensional printed teeth models: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to investigate the perceptions of dental students and their tutors of a deliberate simulated practice using patient-specific virtual and three-dimensional (3D) printed teeth models. This is before they perform their first indirect posterior tooth restoration on their patients. METHODS: Seventy-eight fourth-year dental students from the 2021 Comprehensive Clinic I course at the University of the Andes, Chile, were invited to participate in a deliberate practice protocol. This consisted of digitally scanning their patients' teeth, printing the files three-dimensionally, and loading them into a virtual reality (VR) dental simulator to create patient-specific models. Subsequently, they practiced the same indirect posterior restorations on these models before performing them on their actual patients. Perceptions about students' preparedness to perform tooth preparations before and after the protocol were collected from students and their tutors through surveys. RESULTS: Sixty-three students (43 female) and six clinical tutors (all male) participated in the study. Before practicing with their patient-specific models, most students believed they had the knowledge, practical skills, and self-confidence to perform indirect restorations on their patients. However, after the protocol, most students thought their self-confidence increased and felt better prepared to treat their patients. Most students preferred the 3D-printed models over the VR models to practice but mentioned that it did not feel like drilling dental enamel. Tutors believed that participating students had higher self-confidence when treating their patients and were more autonomous. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that students and clinical tutors had positive perceptions of practicing with patient-specific virtual and 3D-printed teeth models before students performed their first indirect restorations on their patients.

Experiencia en la implementación de sistemas de gestión de calidad para la atención odontológica en un centro docente asistencial universitario / Experience in the implementation of quality management systems for dental care in a university teaching center

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Describir el desarrollo e implementación para el establecimiento, cumplimiento y acreditación como centro de atención abierta, para la atención odontológica de un centro docente asistencial. Metodología: Para alcanzar mayores niveles de calidad sanitaria y lograr satisfacción de pacientes, profesionales, estudiantes, personal auxiliar y administrativo, definimos 8 niveles de acción: orientar trabajo a resultados; realizar actividades centradas en el paciente; desarrollar el liderazgo y coherencia en los objetivos; gestionar por medio de procesos; involucrar a toda la comunidad; incorporar a la gestión el aprendizaje, la innovación y la mejora constante; potenciar alianzas internas y externas y garantizar la responsabilidad social. Resultados: El comité de calidad rediseñó protocolos, realizó mejoras computacionales y administrativas, realizó diálogos con la comunidad, incrementando de 80% a 100% el cumplimiento de los estándares obligatorios (n= 11) y de 70 % a 96 % los globales. Conclusiones: Alcanzar las competencias de planificación, gestión sanitaria y elevar los niveles de calidad en la atención de pacientes de un centro de salud que incluye una Facultad de Odontología, es un desafío continuo en el tiempo que involucra toda la comunidad, requiere especialistas del área, incrementa los costos de operación y conduce a su acreditación como centro de atención abierta.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe the development and implementation for the establishment, fulfillment and accreditation as an open-care center, for dental care in a University Teaching Center. Methodology: In order to reach higher levels of health care quality and additionally achieve the satisfaction of patients, professionals, students, auxiliary and administrative staff, the quality committee developed 8 levels of action: 1, orienting the work to results; 2, performing patient-centered activities; 3, developing leadership and coherence in the objectives; 4, managing through processes; 5, involving the entire community; 6, incorporating learning, innovation and constant improvement into management; 7, strengthening internal and external alliances and 8, ensuring social responsibility. Results: After 4 years of work by the quality and review committees, with the redesign of protocols, computer and administrative improvements, evaluation of progress and dialogue with the community, compliance with mandatory quality standards (n=11) was increased from 80% to 100% and compliance with the global standard was increased from 70% to 96% (mandatory + non-mandatory standards). Conclusions: The strategy to achieve planning and management competences in the health system and to raise quality levels of patient care in a health center that includes a dental school is a continuous challenge over time that involves the entire community, requires specialists in the area, increases operating costs and leads to accreditation as an Open.Care Center.

Factores de riesgo asociados a sensibilidad dental en el tratamiento con protésis dental fija. Revision de literature / Risk factors associated with tooth sensitivity in fixed dental prosthesis treatment: a literature review

Las piezas dentarias vitales que reciben tratamiento en base a prótesis dental fija (PDF) sufren un proceso inflamatorio pulpar durante su preparación, esta respuesta inflamatoria puede ser transitoria o perpetuarse y convertirse en un daño pulpar. Como consecuencia se puede presentar sensibilidad post operatoria en algunos pacientes durante el tratamiento y esta podría estar relacionada con ciertos factores de riesgo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir los factores de riesgo relacionados con la sensibilidad postoperatoria termica, quimica o mecanica en el tratamiento mediante prótesis dental fija. Método: Se utilizaron diferentes bases de datos para buscar estudios que incluyeran las siguientes palabras clave: sensibilidad dental, hipersensibilidad dental, respuesta pulpar, corona, prótesis fija, postoperatorio, post cementación, preparación dentaria. Todos los estudios encontrados se analizaron según el nivel de evidencia, la calidad del informe y las implicaciones éticas. Resultados: Se seleccionaron un total de 43 artículos. De ellos, 10 correspondieron a estudios clínicos, 7 revisiones de literatura y 26 estudios in vitro. El nivel de evidencia, la calidad del informe y las consideraciones éticas fueron calificados como regulares. Conclusiones: La evidencia existente describe algunos factores de riesgo relacionados con la sensibilidad postoperatoria en tres etapas del proceso de confección de una prótesis dental fija, pero sin embargo no es concluyente respecto a su mecanismo de origen ni prevención por lo que se sugiere realizar estudios clínicos aleatorizados.

Distribution of traumatic injuries after the installation of complete dentures in adult patients

Aim Describe the location of traumatic lesions of the oral mucosa that develop after the installation of complete dentures, as well as to quantify the number of post-operative controls that are required. A descriptive study was conducted by examining 84 patients who attended the dental center of Universidad de Los Andes, San Bernardo, during the period from July 2012 to July 2013. A sample of 120 edentulous patients was obtained. After the fabrication and installation of the complete dentures, at least 3 post-operative controls were performed and the location of oral lesions was recorded. Documentation of the association between the patient's clinical variables and the appearance of oral lesions during the first 3 controls was performed using a logistic regression. Results For maxillary dentures, 5 post-operative visits were made and 6 controls for mandible dentures. In the upper jaw the anatomical areas of higher incidence of traumatic injuries were: canine fossa (23.9%), average bridle (23.1%), and distobuccal sulcus (20.1%). In the lower jaw, the highest number of lesions were recorded on the anterior lingual flank (16.5%), anterior and posterior lingual flank (13.4%), and distobuccal sulcus (12.8%). A significant association was observed between subjects who reported consumption of cholesterol-lowering medications and the development of traumatic lesions of the oral mucosa (OR: 0.25 and 95% CI: 0.055-0.939). The installation of complete dentures does not determine that the treatment has ended. Post-operative controls are needed to assess areas of erythema and ulceration.

Objetivo Describir la ubicación y frecuencia de las lesiones traumáticas de la mucosa oral que se generan después de la instalación de las prótesis dentales completas, y cuantificar el número de controles postoperatorios necesarios. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, examinando a 84 pacientes que asistieron al centro dental de la Universidad de Los Andes, durante el período comprendido entre de julio de 2012 y julio del de 2013. Se obtuvo una muestra de 120 pacientes edéntulos. Después de la fabricación e instalación de las dentaduras completas se realizaron por lo menos 3 controles postoperatorios y la localización de las lesiones orales fue registrada. La documentación de la asociación entre las variables clínicas de los pacientes y la aparición de lesiones orales durante los 3 primeros controles fue realizado por medio de una regresión logística. Resultados Para prótesis maxilar 5 visitas de controles postoperatorios fueron realizados y 6 para mandibulares. En el maxilar superior las zonas de mayor incidencia de lesiones traumáticas fueron: fosa canina (23,9%), flanco medio (23,1%) y distovestibular del surco (20,1%). En la mandíbula se registraron mayor frecuencia de las lesiones en el flanco lingual anterior (16,5%), anterior y posterior (13,4%) y distovestibular del surco (12,8%). Una asociación significativa se observó entre los sujetos que reportaron consumo de medicamentos reductores del colesterol y el desarrollo de las lesiones traumáticas de la mucosa oral (o: 0,25 e IC: 0,055-0,939). La instalación de las prótesis dentales completas no determina que el tratamiento haya terminado. Los controles postoperatorios son necesarios para evaluar las áreas de eritema y ulceración.