Augmented/Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence in Dental Education and Research

Abstract

With the advent of ‘Information Technology’ phenomenon, such as deep learning (DL), machine learning (ML) and artificial neural networks (ANN), dentistry has taken a new turn. Application of information technology in dental education and research, and its interaction with strategic frameworks, professionalism, and patient care is of paramount importance. The role of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving dental school education and training has been primarily driven to overcome traditional teaching limitations. To overcome these short comings, several Virtual Reality systems have been adopted with an engagement of wide-ranging sensory channels by virtual simulation. This includes Fully immersive VR (e.g., head-mounted displays, HMD’s), Semi-immersive VR (e.g., cave automatic virtual environment, CAVE), and non-immersive screen-based VR (Computer-aided design systems, CAD). This chapter provides an insight of current trends and future forecasts of application of VR, AR, and AI in dentistry related education and research.