Technical Standards for Full Metal Crown Preparation Performed by Dental Undergraduates during Preclinical Dental Education

Nourelhouda Misurati; Noora Berhaim; Siham Omar; Abeer Mesbah; Khadija Abu Sittah

doi:10.54361/ajmas.269736

Authors

Nourelhouda Misurati Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, University of Tripoli, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0337-9218
Noora Berhaim Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, University of Tripoli, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2402-8329
Siham Omar Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sirte University, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3400-3750
Abeer Mesbah Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sirte University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4833-5873
Khadija Abu Sittah Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sirte University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-4322

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.269736

Keywords:

Preclinical Dental Students, Technical Standards, Full Metal Crown Preparation

Abstract

Preparing teeth for fixed dental prostheses is a fundamental clinical task. While it is a standard part of practice, ensuring the restoration's longevity requires precise preparation, a process that dental students often find difficult to master consistently. This study aimed to assess the technical standards of tooth preparation carried out by dental students in their preclinical training. A total of 132 fourth-year preclinical dental students were randomly allocated into two groups to perform full metal crown preparation in a simulated dental training environment; Group 1 (n = 59) was assigned to conduct the procedure on the maxillary (upper) arch, while Group 2 (n = 73) performed the same procedure on the mandibular (lower) arch. Jaw models were mounted on phantom heads during the tooth preparation procedure. The tooth preparations were evaluated using standardized criteria. Descriptive statistics were employed to categorize the outcomes as (excellent, acceptable, or unacceptable). A Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between dental arch type and the technical quality of the students’ tooth preparations. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. It shows that the majority of student work is in the (Satisfactory) range, followed closely by (Excellent), with (Unsatisfactory) being the smallest group. Significant differences were observed between arches in two key areas: lingual reduction (p = 0.016), where the upper arch had a higher rate of unacceptable results (21%), and preservation of adjacent teeth (p = 0.034), where the lower arch showed superior performance (41% excellent). The technical performance of the students was predominantly high, as most preparations either met or surpassed established clinical standards. A significant correlation was found between the dental arch and the quality of lingual preparations and iatrogenic damage to adjacent teeth.