Application of finite element analysis in dentist education: modern approaches and prospects

In today's environment, training highly qualified dental specialists requires integrating digital technologies into the educational process. Finite element analysis (FEA), which enables highly accurate modeling of biomechanical processes in the dental system, is emerging as one of the most promising tools. This article examines modern approaches to integrating FEA into the educational and research activities of dental students. Particular attention is paid to developing students' scientific and analytical thinking skills: through the visualization of stressstrain states, students gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between the anatomical, physiological, and engineering aspects of clinical practice. It is demonstrated that mastering FEA facilitates the development of competencies in digital dentistry, including working with software packages (ANSYS, SolidWorks, etc.), interpreting numerical results, and developing substantiated clinical hypotheses. Furthermore, FEA serves as an interdisciplinary bridge between medicine, biomechanics, materials science, and information technology. In the future, the method can be integrated with virtual and augmented reality technologies, machine learning, and cloud computing, opening new horizons for innovative training of future dentists.