3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education

Abstract In dental education root canal treatment is primarily trained with natural teeth models or transparent acrylic blocks. A newly constructed, 3D printed practice tooth can be produced cost-efficiently and reproducibly while based on a natural root canal anatomy. Based on a micro-CT scan of an...

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Main Authors: Isabella Di Lorenzo, Michael del Hougne, Gabriel Krastl, Marc Schmitter, Christian Höhne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06081-y
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author Isabella Di Lorenzo
Michael del Hougne
Gabriel Krastl
Marc Schmitter
Christian Höhne
author_facet Isabella Di Lorenzo
Michael del Hougne
Gabriel Krastl
Marc Schmitter
Christian Höhne
author_sort Isabella Di Lorenzo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In dental education root canal treatment is primarily trained with natural teeth models or transparent acrylic blocks. A newly constructed, 3D printed practice tooth can be produced cost-efficiently and reproducibly while based on a natural root canal anatomy. Based on a micro-CT scan of an extracted tooth number 36, a dataset was reconstructed (Autodesk Inventor 2019, Autodesk Inc.) and subsequently 3D printed (Form 3B, Formlabs Inc.). In a hands-on course, dental students performed root canal treatments on 3D printed practice teeth. The practice teeth were prepared and filled. A reciprocating system (Reciproc, VDW GmbH) and a rotating preparation system (Pro Taper Next, Dentsply Sirona GmbH) were utilized. Students completed a questionnaire to evaluate practice materials, learning success, and learning process. The students rated suitability as a practice option (p < 0.001) and handling (p = 0.001) of the 3D printed practice tooth, as well as natural tooth models, significantly better than acrylic blocks.
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spelling doaj-art-9367c66062734ef18704e7b8a58073a02025-08-20T03:47:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-06081-y3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental educationIsabella Di Lorenzo0Michael del Hougne1Gabriel Krastl2Marc Schmitter3Christian Höhne4Department of Prosthodontics, University of WürzburgDepartment of Prosthodontics, University of WürzburgDepartment of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of WürzburgDepartment of Prosthodontics, University of WürzburgDepartment of Prosthodontics, University of WürzburgAbstract In dental education root canal treatment is primarily trained with natural teeth models or transparent acrylic blocks. A newly constructed, 3D printed practice tooth can be produced cost-efficiently and reproducibly while based on a natural root canal anatomy. Based on a micro-CT scan of an extracted tooth number 36, a dataset was reconstructed (Autodesk Inventor 2019, Autodesk Inc.) and subsequently 3D printed (Form 3B, Formlabs Inc.). In a hands-on course, dental students performed root canal treatments on 3D printed practice teeth. The practice teeth were prepared and filled. A reciprocating system (Reciproc, VDW GmbH) and a rotating preparation system (Pro Taper Next, Dentsply Sirona GmbH) were utilized. Students completed a questionnaire to evaluate practice materials, learning success, and learning process. The students rated suitability as a practice option (p < 0.001) and handling (p = 0.001) of the 3D printed practice tooth, as well as natural tooth models, significantly better than acrylic blocks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06081-yDental education3D printingPrinted toothRCTEndodontic treatmentAdditive manufacturing
spellingShingle Isabella Di Lorenzo
Michael del Hougne
Gabriel Krastl
Marc Schmitter
Christian Höhne
3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
Scientific Reports
Dental education
3D printing
Printed tooth
RCT
Endodontic treatment
Additive manufacturing
title 3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
title_full 3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
title_fullStr 3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
title_full_unstemmed 3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
title_short 3D printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
title_sort 3d printed tooth for endodontic training in dental education
topic Dental education
3D printing
Printed tooth
RCT
Endodontic treatment
Additive manufacturing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06081-y
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