Virtual reality devices let dentists, surgeons, and their students or dental assistants dive into the virtual world and share an extraordinary educational experience.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptive and unprecedented changes in how we work and learn. Distance forces us to discover more efficient ways to communicate, collaborate and get ourselves educated while technology gives us the means to do it successfully.
As the dental industry enters in this new technological era, Virtual Reality (VR) finds a home in dentistry for both educational and clinical purposes.
With the help of VR technology dentists and dental surgeons who LIVE and WORK in different countries can collaborate on the same dental case in a virtual environment. At the same time, their students will be able to watch them operate the surgery, enjoy a 3D, 360-degree view of a projected digital scenery, learn and simulate procedures accurately.
“enjoy a fully customized 3D realistic virtual scenery with real depth feeling”
It is not about the future anymore. Technology is revolutionizing the way dentistry is practiced and how patients are going to take care of themselves in the future. Virtual reality is changing our whole attitude towards oral health.
But what exactly is meant under the term Virtual Reality? Let us explain.
With Virtual Reality (VR) you transport yourself in another time and space. Wearing the dedicated headset closes off the outside world, and -from your couch- you are transported to a totally new reality, a virtual one. In our case, this would be a VR dental surgery. You step into the shoes of a surgeon placing an implant while dental assistants help by your side. You can pick up 3d objects and move them around, move, feel and see the whole experience exactly as if it were real.
Even patients who wear a VR headset can visualize a calming landscape next to the sea while seated at the dentist’s chair to improve their experience. Anxiety, fear of pain, and stress will be replaced by positive feelings. What an impact on dentists working life!
But above all else, virtual reality is to be used as a powerful training and education tool. Surgeons can stream operations globally and allow medical students to actually be there using their VR device. VR training improves outcomes, enables collaboration, and reduces surgical errors & training time.
Undoubtedly it is the most promising educational experience with many benefits and we can’t wait to live it.
by Sofia Atsali
