Objective To explore the application effect of digital dental model in the practical teaching of orthodontic model. Methods From May 2023 to May 2024, 30 resident trainees who study in the School of Stomatology of Guangxi Medical University/Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were selected as the research objects. They were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 15 trainees in each group. The control group used conventional plaster model teaching, and the observation group used digital dental model teaching. The completion time, practical results, teaching situation and model measurement values of the two groups were compared. Results The completion time of practice report in the observation group was (20.60±3.10)min, which was shorter than (26.22±3.84)min in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The scores of basic knowledge, case analysis and total scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). The scores of learning interest, innovative thinking and ability, learning effect and satisfaction with teaching methods in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). The degree of dental crowding, Bolton index and the depth of mandibular Spee curve in the observation group were better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusion The application of digital dental model in the practical teachi ng of orthodontic model has a good effect,which can improve the teaching quality, increase the enthusiasm of students, improve the accuracy of orthodontic model measurement, and provide a new teaching direction for the pract ical teaching of orthodontic model.