Educational Purpose of the Exercise
This exercise has been developed to support undergraduate BDS students in developing clinical and analytical skills related to crown assessment, fit, and management. It provides a realistic, simulation-based learning experience that integrates aspects of restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, and clinical decision-making. Specifically, it aims to enhance:
- Preparation analysis and critical evaluation
- Crown thickness assessment
- Margin quality recognition
- Emergence profile assessment
- Fit and seating evaluation
- Cementation protocols and practical skills
- Post-cementation assessment and marginal integrity
- Crown removal techniques
- Caries removal and management
- Pulp exposure recognition and management
- Core build-up techniques
- Temporisation procedures
Structure of the Exercise
The exercise consists of a set of 3D-printable STL files, including:
- Part 1: A hollow upper left 4 tooth, compatible with Frasaco™ TM models
- Part 2: A pre-prepared tooth, intentionally imperfect to reflect realistic clinical challenges
- Part 3: Two crown restorations:
- One crown with no internal tolerance, resulting in incomplete seating
- One crown with internal tolerance, allowing full seating
Both crowns present intentional marginal imperfections, including:
- Overextended and underextended areas
- Rough and thin margins
Additional design features include:
- A proximal cavity in the mesial core, approaching near pulp exposure
- Optional simulation of caries using tinted resin or composite materials
Recommended Educational Use
This resource is intended to replace previous teaching materials that were more fragmented and resource-intensive, offering a cost-effective and integrated alternative (approximately £0.50 per tooth set). It is designed for use across two stages of the BDS course, within a case-based framework:
- Management of an existing symptomatic crowned tooth with a need for stabilisation, assessment, and treatment planning
- Post-preparation clinical simulation, from temporisation to final crown cementation, including management of laboratory-related complications (e.g. tight-fitting crown)
The exercise aligns with preoperative Frasaco™ tooth morphology, ensuring compatibility with existing matrices and workflows.
Material:
- Printed in resin (e.g. brown/white)
- Caries simulation achievable using bonding agents with tinted glaze (e.g. Optiglaze™) or dark composite
