Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that is already very much part of our daily lives. It can be found in gaming, providing users with an immersive experience. Home furnishing brands are also using this technology to let you imagine your future sofa already in your living room. Slowly, it's making its way into the health and dentistry sectors. Augmented reality has been used in a variety of medical applications, from surgical navigation to patient education and diagnosis. Here are 7 examples of applications that will be coming to your practice tomorrow!
Patient education:
Thanks to augmented reality, practitioners can offer their patients an immersive experience when it comes to understanding their dental health and treatment options. Using augmented reality technologies such as interactive 3D models and animations, dentists can show patients what their teeth look like before and after a procedure, as well as the impact of certain treatments on their overall dental health. This can help improve patient compliance and understanding of complex dental concepts.
Diagnostic assistance:
Augmented reality offers a more efficient way of making diagnoses on patients. By combining video images or X-rays with computer-generated graphics, dentists can get a better view of the mouth and spot problems that aren't visible to the naked eye.
Surgical navigation:
In the future, AR could be used to assist surgeons in dental procedures such as implant placement or root canalization, by providing real-time indications during the operation. This technology could help reduce operating times by enabling surgeons to accurately position implants without having to make multiple incisions or take longer to make adjustments during the operation.
Dental modeling:
Thanks to 3D printing technology, dentists are able to create highly accurate models of patients' teeth for use in diagnosis and treatment planning. In this way, they can visualize the effects of different treatments on their patients' teeth before proceeding with any intervention.
Virtual reality training:
Dental training programs are now using virtual reality technology to give learners hands-on experience without having to perform real procedures on real patients, and to repeat gestures as many times as necessary. This immersive experience offers a new approach to learning.
Virtual consultations:
Thanks to videoconferencing applications combined with augmented reality technologies, dental practices are now able to offer virtual consultations with remote specialists who have access to precise 3D models of patients' mouths thanks to advanced scanning technologies.
Patient support:
AR offers an immersive experience that can be used for rehabilitation therapy following an injury, or pain management during a painful procedure such as wisdom tooth extraction.
Augmented reality is already being used in many ways in healthcare today, and the possibilities will grow in the years to come! From patient education and diagnosis to surgical navigation and training, AR is revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare today, making it more efficient, accurate and personalized. Taking an interest in the technology today to master it tomorrow will enable you to have an efficient, personalized and augmented practice.
