Revolutionizing education: 3D as a teaching aid in oral histology and oral pathology with a special focus on epithelial dynamics

INTRODUCTION

In oral Pathology, traditional teaching methodologies often fall short in connecting internal cell behavior and their manifestations in the histopathological sections. Three-dimensional (3D) animation technology helps to bridge this gap which has already been explored in medical disciplines.^[1]

Students often encounter challenges in comprehending the microscopic features^[2] due to its two-dimensional (2D) and static nature which would definitely be better explained by 3D animation.^[3,4]

3D animation and images can generate lifelike images and videos depicting the in vivo histo physiological and histo pathological process fostering a heightened interest in the subject.^[5-9]

DISCUSSION

During tissue processing, the intricate 3D (uncut) architecture of the biopsy tissues is transformed into 2D (cut section). Undergraduate students often struggle with the challenge of correlating these 2D representations with the actual three-dimensional structures existing in vivo form. The principal textbooks predominantly illustrate detailed 2D formats. Notably, there exists a conspicuous absence of any reference to the lifelike, intact architecture of both diseased and normal tissues, leaving students clueless.

Unfortunately, the lack of 3D animation videos further compounds the issue, as there are no resources available to elucidate the in vivo cellular architecture of orofacial pathologies and normal tissues. Consequently, this might lead to diminished affinity for this subject among dental students.^[8,10]

To address these challenges, there is a need for an innovative educational approach. In addition, the intricacy is further complicated by the fact that graphic designers, while possessing considerable graphic skills, often lack a medical background. Conversely, healthcare professionals, despite their extensive medical knowledge, face challenges in crafting 3D animations due to a deficiency in technical background. This problem could be solved if healthcare professionals acquire a foundational understanding of graphic design.

Epithelium

Keratin layer:

• 2D: Appears as a linear surface structure in microscopic examination [Figure 1]

  

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  Figure 1:

  Two-dimensional image of oral epithelium seen under microscope (Hematoxylin and eosin stain 10X).

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• 3D: In vivo, it exists in sheet form.

Epithelial rete ridges:

• 2D: Perceived as triangular projections

• 3D: Actual conical projections covering the undersurface layer of the epithelium.

Basement membrane:

• 2D: Described as a linear structure on which the epithelium rests

• 3D: It manifests as a sheet that follows the contour of conical projections of rete ridges.

Epithelial layer:

• 2D: Depicted as rows of cells, one above the other

• 3D: Exhibits sheets of cells, one above the other [Figures 1 and 2] and [Vedio 1].

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Figure 2:

Three-dimensional Preliminary image of oral epithelium showing various layers of epithelium marked by arrows. (A) Rete pegs, (B) Lamina densa (black arrow), (C) keratin and epithelium (black arrows), (D) lamina lucida (black arrow), (E) keratinocytes cells inside the epithelium (black arrow).

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Figure 3:

Three-dimensional (3D) image of histological variants of oral from squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) marked by black arrows (A) 3D image of shows microinvasion side view and (B) bottom view (C) 3D image well-differentiated OSCC shows invasion in the form of larger group of cells. (D) 3D image moderately differentiated OSCC shows invasion in the form of cord and islands and (E) shows individual cell keratinization, (F) 3D image of poorly differentiated OSCC dissociated cells.

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Video 1:

Video 1:Three-dimensional animation of oral epithelium. Video available on: https://doi.org/10.25259/JADE_35_2025

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CONCLUSION

An imperative requirement arises to incorporate 3D animation videos into the oral pathology curriculum, a specialized field within dentistry. Such an initiative holds the potential to not only cultivate student interest in this discipline but also to generate significant employment prospects for both dentists and graphic designers alike.