Digital Evaluation of Crown Preparations Done by Final Year Undergraduates

Objective and reliable assessment of dental students is critical for psychomotor skill development in preclinical fixed prosthodontics. An objective method for evaluating crown preparations using an intraoral scanner and software is proposed in this study. Students were asked to perform a full veneer preparation for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on the upper left central incisor on a patient simulator. A total of 20 preparations were evaluated digitally using intraoral scanner based on pre-established criteria. Of these, only 12 preparations (60%) were deemed acceptable. Almost 55% of the preparations required improvement in terms of marginal integrity and structural durability. Assessment using intraoral scanning softwares (IOS) can address the limitations of subjectivity and provide immediate feedback to students, enhancing their understanding of tooth preparation in preclinical fixed prosthodontics. The goal is to leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve the assessment process, enhance learning outcomes, and better prepare students for clinical practice.