**3. Conclusion**

The 3-D coordinate metrology described study shows that the taper achieved by dental students of the Trinidad dental school when preparing teeth for crowns was comparable to those achieved by other students in the US, UK, Europe, Japan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The study also demonstrates a method for measurement of free form oral surfaces that has enormous potential. As 'digital' dentistry develops, there is a need for worldwide standards and quality control and 3-D coordinate metrology is an extremely useful tool for this at both preclinical and clinical stages. In addition, the use of 3-D coordinate metrology in dental education, where the student is able to get 3-D visual 'feedback' of preparations in the laboratory is a valuable experience in the 'rehearsal' scenario. Lessons learned in this scenario can then be transferred to the clinic and the treatment of patients, where improved preparation quality will inevitably lead to fewer crowns requiring to be remade with all the attendant stress for both patient and clinician.

3-D coordinate metrology also has the ability to be used in a variety of areas of dental research, in particular in relation to tooth wear which is becoming an increasing global problem.
