Augmented Reality of Anatomical Structures of the Maxillomandibular Complex for Learning Dental Radiographic Techniques

Introduction: Augmented reality (AR) enables interactive learning in real-world environments. In dental radiography education, AR offers a promising tool to enhance students' clinical skills by allowing them to simulate and practice procedures before engaging with actual patients. Repeated practice in an AR environment can reinforce theoretical knowledge and improve practical competence. Understanding dental anatomy and surrounding bone structures is essential for achieving accurate radiographic techniques, and 3D reconstructions from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) aid this learning. Objective: To develop and evaluate an AR application designed to support the learning of periapical radiographic techniques. Methods: An AR application was developed using Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) images, which were converted into Standard Tessellation Language (STL) format. Meshmixer software was employed to construct a three-dimensional patient model, which was then used to create visual simulations of periapical radiographic projections based on established literature. The resulting images were integrated into the M3DMIX AR platform for visualization. Usability was assessed by 44 undergraduate dental students using a questionnaire based on the System Usability Scale (SUS). Results: The AR application achieved a mean usability score of 89.26 on the SUS, indicating a high level of user satisfaction. Students reported that the AR tool positively influenced their learning experience and enhanced their understanding of radiographic techniques. Conclusion: The AR application developed in this study demonstrated strong potential as an effective educational tool for teaching periapical radiographic techniques. Its high usability rating suggests that AR can significantly contribute to improving dental radiography education.