Comparative Performance of Haptic Virtual Simulation vs. Conventional Training in Class V Cavity Preparation: A Paired In Vitro Study

TL;DR

This study compares haptic virtual simulation and traditional training for dental cavity preparation, finding that the virtual method is faster and nearly as effective.

Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence that haptic virtual simulation improves efficiency in dental training without compromising quality.

Findings

Haptic virtual simulation significantly reduced preparation time compared to conventional methods.

Cavity volumes from virtual simulations were slightly larger but clinically insignificant compared to real preparations.

Abstract

Background: Haptic virtual simulation (HVS) has emerged as a promising tool in dental education, yet evidence comparing its performance to conventional preclinical training remains limited. Establishing its effectiveness is essential to support its integration into competency-based curricula. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare Class V cavity preparations performed using conventional training on extracted teeth with those performed using a haptic virtual simulator, evaluating preparation time and cavity volume. Methods: Sixty-one extracted human molars were digitized using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to generate corresponding virtual replicas. A calibrated operator prepared 122 standardized Class V cavities (61 real and 61 virtual). The simulator automatically recorded preparation time and cavity volume. For natural teeth, cavity volume was calculated by digital superimposition of pre- and post-operative STL models using Blender. Paired means were compared using Student’s t-test (α = 0.05). Results: Preparation time was significantly shorter when using HVS compared with the conventional method (p < 0.001). Virtual preparations resulted in slightly larger cavity volumes than real preparations, with a statistically significant yet clinically small difference (p = 0.047). Conclusions: Haptic virtual simulation enables more time-efficient Class V cavity preparation while producing cavity volumes comparable to those obtained through conventional training. These findings support the implementation of haptic simulators as a valid and effective complement for preclinical skill acquisition in operative dentistry.

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