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Experienced versus unexperienced dentists in bracket placement using an Augmented Reality (AR) conventional mobile
Dragan Alexander Ströbele1, Ahmed Othman1, Katrin Heiermann1
1Research Center for Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Steiner Landstraße 124, 3500, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
Computers in Biology and Medicine
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Augmented reality (AR) smartphone apps improve dental bracket placement accuracy for inexperienced dentists. This technology enhances precision without needing radiation or physical guides, aiding clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Dental technology
- Orthodontic treatment
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
Background:
- Accurate bracket positioning is crucial for successful orthodontic treatment.
- Traditional methods may lack precision, especially for inexperienced practitioners.
- Augmented reality (AR) offers a novel approach to enhance visualization and guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of AR-assisted software in improving dental bracket positioning accuracy.
- To compare the performance of inexperienced dentists and orthodontists using AR technology.
- To assess the feasibility of smartphone-based AR applications in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- A comparative workflow was designed to assess bracket placement precision.
- AR-assisted smartphone application used to overlay planned bracket positions onto the clinical crown.
- No 3D radiation imaging or physical guides were required, ensuring safety and convenience.
Main Results:
- Inexperienced dentists demonstrated higher precision than experienced practitioners without AR.
- AR significantly improved bracket positioning accuracy for dentists compared to orthodontists.
- The observed improvement with AR was statistically significant (P < 0.004).
Conclusions:
- AR smartphone applications can enhance the precision and accuracy of dental bracket placement.
- This technology is particularly beneficial for inexperienced dentists, improving their clinical outcomes.
- AR offers a safe, convenient, and effective tool for orthodontic bracket positioning.

