Virtual reality gains ground in restorative dentistry education, study finds

Virtual reality is rapidly transforming dental education, especially in the field of restorative dentistry, according to a new bibliometric analysis that reviewed research trends and publication data up to late 2024.

The study, which analyzed 62 peer-reviewed articles published in English, found a significant increase in VR-related dental research since 2019, with the United States, United Kingdom and the Netherlands emerging as the top contributors. Researchers identified the Journal of Dental Education as the most prolific publisher of VR studies in this field.

The findings reflect a growing interest in using immersive technologies, such as haptic feedback simulators and 3D virtual patients, to improve dental students’ motor skills, decision-making and clinical confidence before treating real patients. The most cited article focused on using haptic simulators to support the acquisition of fine motor skills in cavity preparation.

However, the study also revealed challenges in the current research landscape. Collaboration among institutions and countries remains limited, with most research occurring within isolated networks. Additionally, the analysis pointed out gaps in longitudinal research and cost-effectiveness evaluations of VR applications.

The report said this bibliometric analysis highlights the increasing research activity surrounding VR in restorative dentistry and its potential to transform dental education.

Read more: Nature 

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