Knowledge, awareness and practice of digital study models and conventional study models among orthodontists and post-graduate students

Abstract

Introduction: Digital study models today, provide the state-of-art infrastructure for the diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontic malocclusions. Its versatility and wide scope of application makes it a valuable alternative to conventional study models. However, affordability and lack of knowledge may be the reasons for its limited use, presently. Hence, it was aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of digital and conventional study models among orthodontists and post-graduate students. Methods: A close-ended self-constructed questionnaire comprising of fifteen questions was administered to 50 orthotists and 50 post-graduate students. Frequency distribution of the answers given by the participants in each domain (knowledge, awareness and practice) was presented graphically. Results: The orthodontists had a better understanding and also were more inclined to digital study model as compared to the post-graduates. Storage and sterilization are the main concerns addressed by the digital study model, whereas conventional study models still remain less expensive. Conclusion: Orthodontists as well as post-graduates possess sufficient knowledge about digital study models, with orthodontists having a slight edge over the post-graduate students.