Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Dentistry: Highlights from the Current Research

Abstract

Many modern advancements have taken place in dentistry that have exponentially impacted the progress and practice of dentistry. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming the trend in the practice of modern dentistry because of their impact on changing the patient’s experience. The use of AR and VR has been beneficial in different fields of science, but their use in dentistry is yet to be thoroughly explored, and conventional ways of dentistry are still practiced at large. Over the past few years, dental treatment has been significantly reshaped by technological advancements. In dentistry, the use of AR and VR systems has not become widespread, but their different uses should be explored. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide an update on the contemporary knowledge, to report on the ongoing progress of AR and VR in various fields of dental medicine and education, and to identify the further research required to achieve their translation into clinical practice. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles in peer-reviewed English-language journals published in the last 10 years up to 31 March 2021, with the help of specific keywords related to AR and VR in various dental fields. Of the total of 101 articles found in the literature search, 68 abstracts were considered suitable and further evaluated, and consequently, 33 full-texts were identified. Finally, a total of 13 full-texts were excluded from further analysis, resulting in 20 articles for final inclusion. The overall number of studies included in this review was low; thus, at this point in time, scientifically-proven recommendations could not be stated. AR and VR have been found to be beneficial tools for clinical practice and for enhancing the learning experiences of students during their pre-clinical education and training sessions. Clinicians can use VR technology to show their patients the expected outcomes before the undergo dental procedures. Additionally, AR and VR can be implemented to overcome dental phobia, which is commonly experienced by pediatric patients. Future studies should focus on forming technological standards with high-quality data and developing scientifically-proven AR/VR gadgets for dental practice.

A Systematic Review and Proposed Model for Integrating Virtual Reality Simulation Tools with Problem-Based Learning Method in Preclinical and Clinical Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry

“…Some of the most difficult and taxing specialties in dentistry still include endodontics and restorative dentistry. To be a skilled clinician, one must have the necessary knowledge and clinical abilities to treat disorders including dental caries, pulpitis, and dental abscesses (16) . Because they alter the patient experience, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are increasingly popular in the practice of modern dentistry.…”

“…Because they alter the patient experience, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are increasingly popular in the practice of modern dentistry. Different scientific sectors have benefited from the use of AR and VR, but their application in dentistry has not yet been fully investigated, and traditional dental practices are still widely used (16,17) .…”

Accuracy of Endodontic Access Cavities Performed Using an Augmented Reality Appliance: An In Vitro Study

“…Fahim et al have also highlighted the impact of augmented reality and virtual reality on the patient’s experience since clinicians can use augmented reality and virtual reality technology to show their patients the expected outcomes before they undergo dental procedures. Additionally, augmented reality and virtual reality can be implemented to overcome dental phobia, which is commonly experienced by pediatric patients [ 37 ]. However, these researchers did not consider the application of augmented and virtual reality for learning or treatment.…”

Advancements in Dentistry with Artificial Intelligence: Current Clinical Applications and Future Perspectives

“…To generate clinical information that can be visualized by patients, augmented reality (AR) can be adopted. The use of AR and VR is increasing gradually, and there is a limited number of studies that assessed their use [ 77 ]. From providing better visualization to reducing operative time and improving patient consultation and providing promising treatment outcomes, AR and VR have the potential to enable researchers in developing high-quality tools for clinical practice.…”