Work

The use of smart glasses for remote or virtual instruction in CAD-CAM dentistry: A randomized controlled trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Statement of problem The use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) in restorative dentistry requires instruction and training. Given the increasing product diversity and limited availability of in-person instruction and support, it is unclear if alternative training methods are beneficial. Purpose The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to analyze the use of smart glasses for remote or virtual instruction of digital scanning and crown design by using a CAD software program and to compare working time and quality of treatment with in-person instruction and with no instruction. Material and methods Sixty-six participants received an introduction to the use of an intraoral scanner and a CAD software program and were then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups, in-person instruction ( n =16), remote instruction via smart glasses ( n =16), virtual instruction (slidecast) via smart glasses ( n =16), or control (no instruction, n =18). All participants made a digital scan of a training model, followed by the design of a ceramic crown. Total working time, as well as the quality of the scan, the virtual cast, and the crown design, were assessed. Additionally, self-rated knowledge gain, usability of the smart glasses as assessed by the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the overall satisfaction within each intervention group were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed by Welch ANOVA followed by post hoc tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by post hoc tests, and the t test (α=.05). Results Remote instruction (26.2 ±5.9 minutes) and in-person instruction (25.3 ±3.9), but not virtual instruction (32.7 ±5.1) significantly reduced the time need compared to the control (32.6 ±9.4 minutes, P ≤.041). Quality of performance was not significantly different among groups ( P ≥.055). Self-rated knowledge after the CAD-CAM training did not differ among groups ( P =.723) and overall satisfaction was higher for remote and in-person instructions than virtual instruction ( P adj. <.001), but did not differ between both ( P adj. =.579). SUS was not significantly different for remote compared to virtual instruction ( P =.174). Conclusions Remote supervision via smart glasses was found to be comparable to in-person supervision in terms of time requirements and workflow quality.

Source: Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2025.10.006