Open Educational Resources in 3D format for teaching stomatognathic system anatomy in dentistry: development, implementation and evaluation

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the scarcity of digital and 3D-printed Open Educational Resources (OER) in the Dentistry program at Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza (FES Zaragoza), UNAM, limiting the teaching-learning process of stomatognathic anatomy. Objective: To develop 3D-printed models of the maxilla and mandible from real patient computed tomography scans as innovative OERs, assess their educational utility, and document the benefits for dental anatomy teaching. Methods: Design thinking approach. DICOM files from two real patients were processed using Materialise Mimics and Blender to generate 3D print files, produced with an Anycubic Kobra Max printer. Four dental interns participated in a theoretical-practical session using the models and evaluated the material through a Google Forms questionnaire. Results: 100% of participants found the models easy to handle, interest-generating, conducive to clarifying doubts, and adequate for their didactic purpose. Between 75% and 100% correctly identified anatomical structures from all views. Main improvement suggestions focused on color differentiation of structures. Conclusions: 3D-printed models derived from real patient CT scans are innovative, accessible, and highly effective OERs for teaching maxillary and mandibular anatomy, with potential use across multiple modules of the Dentistry program.