Ergonomic study on control of operating load during dental high-speed cutting

Abstract

Control of cutting load during cavity preparation is seldom taught in dental colleges. I developed an apparatus that recreates the minute movements of the handpiece during high-speed dental cutting without actually doing any cutting. I analyzed the characteristics of load control by the fingertips, and investigated the effectiveness of practice with this apparatus. Four types of feedback information were established for the experimental subjects who used this apparatus. It was found that the information used in controlling the load varied for each subject. The simulator was employed as a trainer for fourth-and fifth-year dental students, and for dentists with two years of clinical experience. Using the simulator during the early stages of dental education was found effective in improving control of cutting load.