Comparison of Undergraduate Students’ Understanding, Performance, and Perception of 3D Digital Cast vs. Plaster Model for Orthodontic Space Analysis

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to assess undergraduate dental students’ performance, perception, and preference when applying space analysis using digital dental models (DDM) compared to plaster dental models (PDM).

Methods

A prospective cohort observational study at our institution evaluated student performance by measuring the time taken and the frequency of assistance requests for accurate results (n = 34). After completing both methods, students’ perceptions of each method were assessed via a questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale (n = 69).

Results

Overall, the students using the DDM had significantly lower durations to achieve accurate space analysis results p = 0.003 when compared to the students using the PDM. On day one, the DDM group showed significantly lower duration and significantly less need for assistance than the PDM group p = 0.025 and p = 0.015, respectively. However, on day two, there was no significant difference between the two groups p = 0.058 and p = 0.622, respectively. The feedback showed that a higher percentage of students thought using DDM for space analysis is easier, especially with measuring space available (43.5% against 31%). Still, most prefer PDM for learning and understanding (89.8% vs. 68%), and most prefer to use DDM for space analysis in the future (59.4% compared to 21.7%).

Conclusions

Undergraduate dental students perform better in orthodontic space analysis using DDM than PDM, achieving accurate results faster and with less assistance. Most students preferred PDM for learning and knowledge retention, but most preferred DDM for future use.