3D-printed tooth for caries excavation

To date, no suitable model tooth has been available for all standard restorative and prosthodontic procedures. To fill this gap, a realistic multilayer tooth with enamel, dentin, integrated caries, pulp, and electrometric and X-ray imaging abilities was developed. The aim of this study was to test the printed tooth while focusing on caries excavation and pulp capping. Based on micro-CT data, a tooth was designed and produced via 3D printing. A total of 396 teeth were tested and evaluated by 66 fourth- and fifth-year students experienced in caries excavation at standard typodonts, extracted teeth and patients. They excavated the caries and capped the pulp on six teeth and rated them in a questionnaire. Compared with natural teeth, the printed teeth were generally rated positively and significantly better in all criteria than typodonts used previously (p