Effect of Augmented Reality simulation on administration of local anesthesia in pediatric patients (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Augmented Reality (AR) is a simulation of a three-dimensional environment created using hardware and software that provides the user with realistic experiences and ability to interact. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of AR simulator on the perception of learning and acute stress level in students administering local anesthesia to pediatric patients relative to standard teaching methods. METHODS The prospective study included 21 fourth- and fifth-year students enrolled in 5-year-dental program. In addition to conventional training, the students of the study group used the augmented reality simulator in a dental office 2h weekly in 2 weeks. The level of salivary cortisol was measured before and after the anesthetic procedure as one of the indicators of acute stress. RESULTS A statistically significant shorter time to perform infiltrative anesthesia technique for the anterior superior alveolar nerve was observed in students using the AR technique. The level of cortisol before and after anesthesia was statistically significant in all subjects, however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The AR concept may influence better manipulation and control of the syringe in students administering their first anesthetic injection to pediatric patients, but may not reduce acute stress.

Augmented Reality in Dentistry: Uses and Applications in the Digital Era

“…The AR technology allows the users to superimpose virtual content in the real world; thus, it supplements reality with virtual content as a mix, rather than a complete replacement [4]. Due to this distinctive feature, AR is much easier to be realized and understood than VR [5].…”

“…AR has already been introduced in the dental research, incorporating the dental implant, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic, endodontic, prosthodontics, paedodontics, operative dentistry, as well as dental education [1,[4][5][6][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. The reason why this study aims to acknowledge the latest technological development related to augmented reality uses and applications in the dental field, also its future, and how can it be improved.…”

A Review of Augmented Reality Systems and an Update on The Most Recent Technological Developments and Applications in Dentistry

“…AR technology allows users to superimpose virtual content on the physical world; as a result, rather than being a complete substitute, it supplements reality with virtual content as a mix [2], [5]. AR is much easier to comprehend and understand than VR because of this distinguishing feature [6]. Some developers believe that using both AR and VR in certain systems could further enhance the benefits gained from the system [1].…”

“…If any of the elements being tracked moves, the process of registration and re-registration takes time and depends upon the speed of the processing unit [11], [19]. The sophistication of AR technology has delayed its introduction and implied the need for a less complicated technology, and that is VR [6].…”

Perceptions and Anxiety Level of Students during Administration of Local Anesthesia

“…Recently simulations are being used in various fields to acquire necessary psychomotor skills before realtime clinical application. 9 Mobile devices today provide students access to wide resources of educational resources mobile aided learning or m-learning can be used by master anatomical landmarks and students can have more access to educational video demonstrations. 10 Therefor, this study is aimed to assess perceptions and anxiety levels of dental students during administration of local anesthesia…”