Impact of Spatial Representation on the Quality of Prosthodontic Procedures.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between the three-dimensional spatial representation (3DSR) abilities, specifically involving spatial orientation, spatial visualisation and spatial relationship, and the performance in exercises related to preclinical practical exams in fixed prosthodontics and removable partial denture is not studied. OBJECTIVE: Assess the correlation between the 3DSR abilities and the performance in exercises related to preclinical practical exams in fixed prosthodontics and removable partial denture carried out by second and third year dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 3DSR abilities (spatial orientation, spatial visualisation and spatial relationship) and the scores of preclinical practical exams in prosthetics were tested on 187 students. All tests were carried out during 2 weeks. The association was tested by Spearman's correlation or Wilcoxon's signed ranks test and adjusted using Holm's method. The comparison of the 3DSR scores between second and third year students was performed by Student's test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: For second year students, there is no correlation between the 3DSR score and the removable partial denture score, whereas a correlation (p = 0.048) was found with the fixed prosthodontic score. For third year students, there is a positive correlation (Rho = 0.23) with the removable partial denture score (p = 0.024), but no correlation was found with the fixed prosthodontic score. There was no significant difference between the second year and the third year students (p = 0.360). CONCLUSIONS: The 3DSR tests permitted to improve the performance of dental students during preclinical practical exams in fixed prosthodontics or removable partial denture.