Advancing dental implant placement with immersive technologies: Preliminary clinical insights into augmented and mixed reality applications

These technologies modify the real environment by blending the virtual and real-world (MR and AR) or by creating a fully virtual experience (VR).

The field of dentistry is witnessing a transformative shift with the integration of immersive technologies such as augmented reality and mixed reality into clinical practice. In particular, these technologies are revolutionizing dental implant placement procedures, offering enhanced visualization, precision, and patient outcomes. The preliminary clinical report sheds light on the promising applications of AR and MR in this domain, underscoring their potential to redefine the standard of care in implant dentistry.

The implementation of artificial intelligence and 2 immersive realities in the preoperative and intraoperative implant placement procedures with 2 workflows is described in the article.

Two patients needing implant placements were selected to demonstrate 2 immersive technologies: AR with a head-mounted display (HMD) and MR with a tablet PC (iPad; Apple Inc) as a see-through display.

The selection of MR and AR workflows and the method of display were not specific to the patient; the MR workflow necessitated registration software program use for digital element alignment. This software program was optimized for use with the tablet PC and not with the HMD.

In the AR with HMD workflow, the digital 2D and 3D data were visualized in the FoV of the operator, providing simulation and convenience and allowing access to patient data in a sterile environment.

"The rapid evolution of AR/virtual reality (VR) and AI technologies is transforming implant treatment planning and placement, as demonstrated in this case report featuring two implant placement cases using immersive technologies," Marcus Engelschalk, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and Private practice, Munich, Germany, and colleagues wrote.

"Comprehensive treatment planning and precise implant placement were achieved by integrating AR/VR with AI, facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration, and enabling remote consultations. However, the lack of long-term studies with larger populations and the simplicity of the cases underscore the need for further research to validate the safety and efficacy of these technologies," the study stated. "Additionally, cost and training challenges may pose barriers to widespread adoption."

In conclusion, the clinical report describes implant placements with two immersive technologies by using AR with an HMD display and MR with a tablet PC see-through display. Immersive realities are promising technologies and offer novel applications. However, mixed reality requires further development for clinical optimization.

Reference:

Engelschalk M, Al Hamad KQ, Mangano R, Smeets R, Molnar TF. Dental implant placement with immersive technologies: A preliminary clinical report of augmented and mixed reality applications. J Prosthet Dent. 2024 Mar 12:S0022-3913(24)00141-0. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.02.017. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38480015.