Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Augmented Reality for Tooth Preparation

Tooth preparation is a fundamental treatment technique to restore oral function in prosthodontic dentistry. This technique is complicated as it requires the preparation of an abutment while simultaneously predicting the ideal shape. We explore the feasibility of using Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) to assist dentists during tooth preparation using two different visualization techniques. A user study (N=24) revealed that AR is effective for angle adjustment, and reduces the occurrence of over-reduction. These results suggest that AR can be used to assist physicians during these procedures and has the potential to enhance the accuracy and safety of prosthodontic treatment.