Construction and Practice of Virtual Simulation System for Temporomandibular Disorders

The purpose of this study is to construct a virtual simulation teaching system for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and explore its application effectiveness in oral and maxillofacial surgery experimental teaching. The research collected computer tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging data from TMD patients and developed a virtual simulation system using the Unity 3D platform and Visual Studio. The system consists of three major modules: typical models of joint disorders, joint lavage procedures, and knowledge assessments. Students used the system and completed a questionnaire to provide feedback and a theoretical assessment. After applying the experimental teaching, students expressed high satisfaction with the virtual simulation system. The average score of the theoretical assessment is higher than that of the control group (P = 0.456). Survey results indicated that 85%−93% of the students found it easy to operate, believed it enhanced classroom engagement, deepened their understanding of clinical procedures, and recommended its inclusion in the experimental teaching curriculum. The virtual simulation teaching system enhances students’ interest and enthusiasm in TMD experimental teaching, improves the effectiveness of theoretical knowledge learning, fosters clinical thinking, and improves practical skills, and provided innovative technological support for experimental teaching in oral and maxillofacial surgery.