2020 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 63-70
Abstract This study aimed to use a custom-made dental simulator with force gauge for training of force acceleration during dental practice. Twenty-one trainee dentists at Niigata University Hospital participated and performed mandibular complete denture fit testing for adjustment. For all of the subjects, their force acceleration of denture fit testing (F0) was measured after receiving a lecture on the experimental procedure and appropriate force (50 N) for the procedure. They were divided into two groups of 11 (group I) and 10 (group II). Group I practiced experience-based learning of 50 N force magnitude with the simulator. Each group was re-divided into two new groups, IA and IB, IIA and IIB. References to confirm the area to be adjusted were provided for A and B as photographs and as photographs with explanation respectively, and the force acceleration of denture fit testing was measured again (F1). All of the procedures were done using denture-applied DENT-SPOT and the subjects were requested to explain the area to be adjusted. The answers were compared with the convex previously equipped on the alveolar ridge to calculate the correct answer rates. Prosthodontists were also asked to perform same investigation for the result of the fitting test on F0 measurement and the correct answer rate was calculated. The results revealed that the force magnitude of F0 to F1 significantly increased in group I and there was no difference in group II. The correct answer rate between A and B also showed no difference. However, the force magnitude was correlated with the number of the area judged by prosthodontists. It is suggested that the device, with further improvements, might be useful for education on denture fit testing.
