Oral surgery simulated teaching: 3D model printing

Aim: The aim of this study was to present the development of a cost effective, inexpensive and anatomically accurate model for the teaching of hard tissue oral surgery using three-dimensional printing technology. Material and methods: Scan data of a dentate human mandible was digitally manipulated and combined with phantom head baseplate data. The resultant three-dimensional printing of the conglomerate file provided an anatomically accurate plastic model for teaching. Three clinicians with extensive undergraduate oral surgery teaching experience evaluated the resource. Results and conclusion: Initial comments suggest that the printed mandible provides realistic feel, feedback and bone removal experience satisfactory for undergraduate teaching. The authors present a relatively easy, malleable and inexpensive alternative approach for the development and local construction of oral surgery teaching resources.