Hinged Single Piece Putty Index for Preclinical Demonstration of Tooth Preparation for Fixed Partial Dentures and Crowns

Abstract

Introduction: Different types of indices are being used for assessment of tooth preparation. All these indices are used to visualize tooth preparations in a particular plane. A single versatile index which could help to visualize tooth preparations in different planes is non-existent. The need for fabrication of such an index and its reliability is of utmost important to provide quality tooth preparations. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to fabricate a hinged single piece sectioned index which could be used to visualize tooth preparation in different planes and check its reliability in-vitro on phantom models. Materials and Methods: Ten preclinical students were selected in random for preparing three teeth each. The three teeth preparations are classified as Group A, Group B and Group C based on the non-usage of index, usage of sectioned index and hinged single piece sectioned index respectively. Students were made to do provisional restorations after the tooth preparations. Then a questionnaire was given to students to score the duration/ accuracy/comfort during tooth preparation and duration/accuracy of provisional restorations for each of the Groups A,B and C. Results: In Group C, 90% of students found the final preparation to be very accurate. The time taken for fabrication of provisional restoration using sectioned hinged index by 60% of Group C students was 20 to 30 min. Conclusion: This hinged index is a viable option when accuracy of tooth preparation and speedy fabrication of provisional restoration is required.

Keywords

• accuracy
• fabrication
• restoration