3D Simulator to Develop Confidence and Knowledge for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Dental Students

Introduction

Effective pain control is one of the most important procedures in dentistry. Among anesthesia techniques in dentistry, the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most challenging local anesthesia procedures for dental students due to anatomical variations and the risk of patient discomfort. To address this, three-dimensional (3D) simulations could be an option to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Objective

This study evaluated the impact of a custom-made 3D simulator on undergraduate dental students' confidence and knowledge regarding IANB.

Methods

A survey was administered to a sample of 30 undergraduate students with no prior clinical experience to assess their initial knowledge and self-confidence in anesthesia techniques. Next, the students practiced with the 3D simulator 10 times. Afterwards, the students completed the same survey to evaluate changes.

Results

Initially, students identified the IANB as the most difficult dental anesthesia technique, reporting low self-confidence and a high dependency on the professor’s supervision. After practicing with the 3D simulator, students demonstrated an increase in their skills and high self-confidence in performing IANB technique.

Conclusions

The use of 3D simulator represents an effective pedagogical alternative for the transition from preclinical to clinical procedures, diminishing students' anxiety and reducing potential mistakes during the IANB technique.