| Aims and Hypothesis: The objective of this study was the design and testing of a Prototype Computer Numerical Control (CNC) dental handpiece. We predicted that the CNC Prototype would be more accurate than the human participant prosthodontists in clinical simulation.;Materials and Methods: A Prototype CNC dental handpiece was developed from off the shelf components, assigned 100 typodont teeth (;Results: RMSE Prototype (N=100) was 0.40mm. RMSE Prosthodontists (N=100) was 0.55mm. One sided T test, mean difference -.15mm (p<.001, one sided CI -.09). One Way ANOVA (F stat <1, F=.526, p=.717), Spearman correlation Prototype RMSE vs order(rho=.1, p=.334), RMSE vs Bur (rho=.36, p<.001); For each prosthodontist individually (N=20) RMSE vs Order Prosthodontist 4(rho=-.54, p= .015). Prosthodontist 5 (rho= .58, p = .022). Prosthodontist 3 (rho=.16, p=.498), Prosthodontist 2 (rho=-.07, p=.772), and Prosthodontist 1 (rho=-.08, p=.741) Spearman correlation (N=20) RMSE vs Bur Prosthodontist 5 (rho= .51, p = .007), Prosthodontist 2 (rho=.46, p= .040), Prosthodontist 4 (rho=-.07, p=.758), Prosthodontist 3 (rho=.18, p=.445), and Prosthodontist 1 (rho=.43, p=.059).;Conclusion: CNC Prototype achieved superior results in clinical simulation, attained on a modest budget with a modest level of research support. Work should continue on the next iteration of a prototype to address some of the limitations of movement, feedback, and emotional acceptance of a machine performing treatment from the perspective of a patient. |
