(PR93) Technical Quality of Treatments Performed by Undergraduate Students in Preclinical Training Using Natural or Artificial Teeth

Objectives: This study compared errors in artificial teeth with natural teeth used in preclinical training.

Methods: The teeth used for preclinical training by students of São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry were assessed. The natural teeth group (NTG) included the teeth used by the class of 2021. The artificial teeth group (ATG) the teeth used by the class of 2022 (LIkeReal, Porto Alegre, Brazil) were assessed. The teeth were visually and radiographically observed and errors divided into crown and root. Perforation, damage to the marginal ridge, fracture, and remnants of gutta-percha in the crown were registered, as were failures in the roots, including overfilling, obturation at the apex, obturation >2 mm short, voids, instrument separation, ledge, and root fracture. The chi-squared test was used for differences at P <.05.

Results: 408 teeth were assessed, 204 in each group. In the NTG, remaining gutta-percha, 36 (17.64%); voids, 53 (25.98%), and root filling at the apex, 48 (23.52%), were the most common errors. In the ATG remaining gutta-percha, 45 (22.05%), voids, and filling >2 mm short, 65 (31.86%) were the most common errors. In the ATG the occurrence of damage to the marginal ridge and filling >2 mm short the apex was less frequent than in the NTG; ledges and root fractures were more frequent in the ATG (P <.05).

Conclusion: The artificial teeth resulted in similar errors by the students. The teeth were more likely to fracture indicating that improvements are necessary for the material.