Emerging technologies can ease the transition from pre-clinical exercises to actual clinical practice. This study evaluated students’ satisfaction with a novel approach for access cavity training. Students performed access cavity preparations on cost-effective, in-house 3D-printed teeth. Prepared teeth were scanned using an intraoral scanner and visualized through mesh processing software. The same software was then employed to align the students’ work with the instructor’s reference for self-assessment. Students completed a questionnaire to report their experiences with this learning method. From the instructors’ viewpoint, the approach was simple, practical, and economical. Student responses were largely favorable: 73% considered scanning-based assessment more beneficial than visual inspection under magnification, and 57% felt it helped them better recognize errors and mistakes. However, some students noted that the 3D-printed material was too soft. Incorporating in-house 3D-printed teeth into pre-clinical training offers a practical solution to limitations associated with extracted teeth, including scarcity, variability, infection control issues, and ethical concerns. Additionally, intraoral scanning combined with mesh processing software may enhance students’ self-assessment abilities.
