Current Evidence About Relationships Among Prosthodontic Planning and Temporomandibular Disorders and/or Bruxism

Effectiveness of virtual reality interactive simulation practice in prosthodontic education: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Virtual reality-based interactive simulation (VRIS) provides a safe and controlled environment for dental students and professionals to develop skills and knowledge. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the VRIS for prosthodontic practice and to explore the trends, application areas, and users' attitudes towards VRIS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for searching studies published until 21 March 2023 that reported quantitative or qualitative learning outcomes related to the use of VRIS for dental prosthodontic practice and clinical training. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale-Education (NOS-E) tools. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to compare the intervention group (utilizing VRIS) and the control group (employing conventional prosthodontic training methods) based on performance skill scores and task completion time, with a significance level set at <.05.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed that the utilization of VRIS generally improves students' performance scores (SMD = 1.04; 95% CI, -0.35 to 2.44; I2  > 50%; p = .13) and reduces task completion time (SMD = -0.03; 95% CI, 1.39-7.72; I2  > 50%; p = .93). Notably, using VRIS significantly enhanced the performance scores in implant surgery practice (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.42; p < .05). Additionally, the VRIS method significantly reduced task completion time in the cavity restorative preparation task (SMD = -1.19; 95% CI, -1.85 to -0.53; p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Engaging in practice with VRIS has the potential to enhance learning proficiency in prosthodontic education. The advantages associated with VRIS encompass the provision of immediate feedback, decreased task completion time, heightened confidence and motivation, accelerated skill acquisition, improved performance scores, and increased learning engagement.

Management of temporomandibular disorders: a rapid review of systematic reviews and guidelines

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) impact a significant proportion of the population. Given the range of management strategies, contemporary care should be evidence-informed for different TMD types. A knowledge-to-action rapid review of systematic reviews published in the past 5 years and guidelines published in the past 10 years concerning the management of TMD was conducted. The Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE, PEDro, and PubMed databases were searched. A qualitative data analysis was undertaken, with quality assessment completed using the AMSTAR 2 checklist. In total, 62 systematic reviews and nine guidelines considering a range of treatment modalities were included. In concordance with current guidelines, moderate evidence supports a multi-modal conservative approach towards initial management. Contrary to existing guidelines, occlusal splint therapy is not recommended due to a lack of supporting evidence. The evidence surrounding oral and topical pharmacotherapeutics for chronic TMD is low, whilst the evidence supporting injected pharmacotherapeutics is low to moderate. In concordance with current guidelines, moderate quality evidence supports the use of arthrocentesis or arthroscopy for arthrogenous TMD insufficiently managed by conservative measures, and open joint surgery for severe arthrogenous disease. Based on this, a management pathway showing escalation of treatment from conservative to invasive is proposed.