Augmented Reality (AR) as an Educational Tool for Fixed Orthodontic Treatment to Improve Adolescent Patient Compliance
Keywords:
Augmented Reality, Patient Education, Fixed Orthodontic Appliance, Adolescent, Patient Compliance, Oral HygieneAbstract
Adolescent compliance during fixed orthodontic treatment encompassing oral hygiene behavior, appointment attendance, and adherence to instructions is often poor, contributing to prolonged treatment, white spot lesions, and bracket bond failure. This single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluated whether a smartphone-based augmented reality (AR) educational application, added to standard chairside instruction, improves compliance-related outcomes compared with conventional education alone. A total of 120 adolescents (12–17 years) beginning fixed orthodontic treatment were randomized 1:1 to an AR education group (n=60) or a conventional education group (n=60) and assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, the AR group showed lower Plaque Index (0.81 vs. 1.42; Cohen’s d=3.05, p<0.001) and Gingival Index (0.68 vs. 1.31; d=3.42, p<0.001), higher orthodontic care knowledge on a 0–100% scale (89.4% vs. 68.7% immediately post-intervention; d=2.70, p<0.001), higher appointment attendance (96.2% vs. 87.4%, p<0.01), lower bracket bond failure rate (4.8 vs. 9.6 per 100 patient-months, p<0.01), and greater reduction in dental anxiety (MCDASf 10.8 vs. 13.1 at 6 weeks; d=0.84, p<0.001). The application achieved excellent usability (System Usability Scale 82.4 ± 7.8). These findings suggest AR may be a promising adjunct for improving adolescent compliance during fixed orthodontic treatment, although confirmation in multi-center trials with longer follow-up is needed.
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