Development and Validation of a Virtual Simulation-Based Teaching System for Dental Wax Pattern Fabrication in Oral Anatomy Education

Background: Dental wax pattern fabrication is a core skill in oral anatomy education, yet traditional teaching methods face limitations such as high material consumption, limited instructor feedback, irreversible operations, and significant individual performance variation. Virtual simulation (VR) technology offers a promising alternative by providing immersive, repeatable, and low-risk training environments.

Methods: A VR-based teaching system was developed using the Unity3D engine, with high-precision 3D models of four key tooth positions (right maxillary central incisor, canine, first premolar, and first molar) created via SolidWorks and Maya. A crossover design was conducted with 14 undergraduate dental students randomly assigned to either a physical-first group (n=7) or a virtual-first group (n=7). Both groups underwent a 4-week progressive training sequence. Outcome measures included skill scores (0-100), practice time per tooth position, and user satisfaction (5-point Likert scale).

Results: The virtual-first group demonstrated significantly shorter practice times for all tooth positions compared to the physical-first group (P<0.01). The most complex tooth (first molar) required only 13.22±3.62 min in the virtual-first group versus 44.15±12.81 min in the physical-first group (a 70% reduction). After the second phase, the virtual-first group achieved a final physical model score of 95.00±7.64, while the physical-first group scored 75.29±12.97 on the virtual system. ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in net skill improvement between the two training orders (P=0.893), but the virtual-first group showed markedly reduced standard deviation, indicating more homogeneous learning outcomes. User satisfaction was high: 85.71% rated system fluency and realism as satisfactory, and 92.86% agreed that the system should be introduced into regular classrooms.

Conclusions: The VR-based wax pattern fabrication system significantly improves learning efficiency, reduces practice time, and provides standardized training. The hybrid "virtual-first, physical-reinforcement" model is recommended as an optimal teaching pathway for dental morphology skills.