Effects of an augmented reality aided system on the placement precision of orthodontic miniscrews: A pilot study

Augmented reality (AR) is gaining popularity in medical applications, which may aid clinicians in achieving improved clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the positional and angle errors of orthodontic miniscrew placement by using a self-developed AR aided system.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and patient printed models were used in in vitro experiments. The participants were divided into a control group and an AR group, in which traditional orthodontic methods and the AR-aided system were used respectively. After the information obtained from the CBCT images and navigation system was combined on the display device, the AR-aided system indicated the planned miniscrew position to guide the clinicians during the placement of miniscrews. Both methods were compared by a senior and a junior dentist, and the position and angle of miniscrew placement were statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests.

When the AR-aided system was used, the accuracy of miniscrew placement in the mesiodistal position considerably increased (83%) when the procedure was performed by a senior clinician. In addition, the accuracy of miniscrew placement in the mesiodistal position and the angle of miniscrew placement considerably increased by approximately 67% and 72%, respectively, when the procedure was performed by a junior clinician. The position error of miniscrew placement was smaller for the junior clinician when the AR-aided system was used than for the senior clinician.

The AR-aided system improved the accuracy of miniscrew placement regardless of the clinician's level of experience.