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Extended Reality in Endodontics: A Review of Current Applications and Future Potential
Seyed AmirHossein Ourang1, Fatemeh Sohrabniya2, Peng Yuan Zhou3
1Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Background:
Extended reality (XR) technologies, encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), are increasingly used in endodontic education and practice. A gap exists regarding understanding of XR's applications and limitations among endodontic educators and practitioners.
Objectives:
This narrative review aims to (A) explain the technical foundations of AR, VR, and MR systems; (B) review current applications of XR in endodontic education and clinical practice; (C) examine limitations and barriers to adoption; and (D) outline future directions.
Method:
An overview of the technical foundations of XR was provided. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify papers on applications of XR in endodontics. After screening, 33 articles met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to full-text review. The main features of the studies were extracted, and a narrative summary was prepared.
Results:
The review shows that XR technologies have been applied in endodontic education for training in visualisation of root canal anatomy, access cavity preparation, and microsurgical procedures, with most studies demonstrating improved comprehension and procedural accuracy. Haptic feedback systems and head-mounted displays enable realistic training that surpasses traditional methods of education. However, most applications remain educational, with few clinical studies involving real patients. Challenges include hardware costs, technical setup complexity, data security concerns and lack of standardisation.
Conclusions:
When thoughtfully implemented, XR has the potential to improve endodontic education, support clinical workflow and enhance the overall practice of endodontics. Coordinated efforts among clinicians, educators, engineers and regulators are needed to validate these technologies, develop practical implementation standards and integrate XR into routine endodontic education and care.
