This series describes step-by-step wax carving guides, developed over a 14-year period, to teach three dimensional tooth anatomy to undergraduate students at the University of Birmingham's school of dentistry. The carving sequences have also been extensively used in postgraduate training courses, designed to help experienced clinicians master dental anatomy for practical application in restorative procedures.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Knowledge and understanding of posterior tooth anatomy is a key skill in dentistry.
Article
Detailed knowledge and understanding of posterior tooth anatomy enables the accurate restoration of form, function and aesthetics of damaged teeth. While the anatomy of individual teeth is complex and infinitely variable, learning the fundamental anatomical patterns common to human dentition is of great use clinically, especially for the shaping and carving of direct restorative materials.
Wax is a material commonly used in dentistry for manufacturing and diagnostic procedures. It has also been widely used by dental technicians and dentists who aim to develop and refine practical skills in reproducing the anatomical forms of natural teeth via additive or reductive shaping exercises.
Most undergraduate curricula teach tooth anatomy as a compulsory component of pre-clinical training.
Although anatomical complexity and variation make it a challenging subject to learn, most undergraduate programmes aim to teach basic shapes and predictable patterns so that students can recognise individual teeth and compare them to one another. The teaching modules of tooth anatomy and clinical training are often separated by many months, making it challenging for students to apply previously learned anatomical principles to restorative procedures.
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