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Purpose: Introducing an efficient way to magnify and critique tooth preparations
Part of the NYU curriculum in Esthetic dentistry for the second year students is to introduce them to CAD/CAM technology. The students are taught how to prepare typodont teeth for the fabrication of inlays, onlays and crowns both for CAD/CAM restorations and other conventional modalities.
In order to master the CEREC technology one must first perfect the preparation. The software has become very user-friendly over the years, but it cannot compensate for a poor preparation. Irregularities and undercuts in the preparation can be observed on the monitor (enlarged to 12X). Once an image is captured, the preparation can be evaluated and corrected before another optical impression is captured and the restoration designed and milled.
Imaging their preparations gives the students a unique perspective on their work and an opportunity to critique their preparation. The magnification of the image helps them see elements of the preparation (pulpal floor, cavo-surface margin, line angles etc) that were much more difficult to see under no magnification or with standard loupes (2-4X). This technique can be used to evaluate any preparation, e.g. direct composite, fixed and removable preparations, etc. In addition, students are able to see with a magnification if the neighboring tooth is damaged. The image of the preparation may be rotated 180⁰ to visualize proximal surfaces, axial wall convergence/divergence and gingival floor. The software is able to measure in mm the axial depth which helps in determining clearance or preparation depth.

Conclusion:
The CEREC image of a tooth preparation helps the student evaluate their preparation and improves their skill levels in tooth preparation.