Using augmented reality to enhance wax up training in dental education a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Dental Education Technology
• Augmented Reality in Medicine
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Traditional dental wax-up practice requires direct supervision for evaluation.
• Beginner dental students often struggle with self-assessment of wax-up morphology and technique.
• Existing methods lack immediate, objective feedback mechanisms for students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a smartphone application using augmented reality (AR) for dental students' wax-up practice.
• To enhance self-evaluation and learning effects for beginners in dental wax-up.
• To create a proof-of-concept for a supportive digital tool in dental education.

Main Methods:

• Developed an iOS application using Swift, UIKit, ARKit, and SceneKit.
• Utilized 3D-printed wax-up templates manufactured with FDM printers.
• Integrated AR to overlay optimal wax-up models onto student work via smartphone camera.

Main Results:

• The AR application successfully overlays optimal wax-up models onto 3D-printed templates.
• Demonstrated high accuracy and consistency in object tracking within the AR environment.
• Features allow dynamic display, hiding, or transparency adjustment of wax-up elements for detailed feedback.

Conclusions:

• The developed AR smartphone application serves as an effective proof of concept for improving dental wax-up practice.
• The technology exceeded expectations for accuracy and consistency in AR object tracking.
• Further evaluation is needed to assess student and staff acceptance and compare it with traditional teaching methods.