USEFULNESS OF THE MICROSCOPE IN BASIC ENDODONTIC TRAINING

抄録

Human extracted teeth are often used by students for basic endodontic training. However, recent advances in endodontic and periodontal treatment have made it difficult to obtain extracted teeth from general practitioners. Therefore, we developed a dental model and artificial teeth for basic endodontic training. A microscope was also used to evaluate students’ work as it is difficult to assess intracanal work with the naked eye. The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of practical training using a dental model and artificial teeth under microscopic observation. In 2012 and 2013, third-year students performed root canal treatment using artificial teeth. We examined the remaining infected dentin indicated by discoloration, the external form of the access opening, excessive preparation, the perforation rate and the root canal filling. Two microscopes were available for training, but students only used them when they needed to check the condition of their artificial teeth in 2012. Instructors checked every step in the artificial tooth preparation under a microscope for each student in 2013. As a result, there was a decrease in the remainder rate of discoloration in 2013 compared to 2012. Specifically, it decreased from 67.2% to 49.6% in the apical third of the buccal root canal and from 55.2% to 41.5% in the palatal root canal. There was a decrease in excessive preparation in 2013 compared to 2012. Evaluations of good preparation increased approximately 2 times. The perforation rate was 41.2% in 2012 and decreased to 19.4% in 2013. The occurrence of over filling in the buccal root canal was lower in 2013 than in 2012. However, good fillings did not increase. There was a clear decrease of over filling in the palatal root canal, and good filling increased from 8.6% to 30.6%. Therefore, the use of a microscope was effective for basic endodontic training in students.