Efficacy of Immersive Virtual Reality in Mitigating Periodontal Pain During Oral Prophylaxis for Patients Receiving Clear Aligner Therapy
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction:Periodontal discomfort during routine oral prophylaxis is a common concern among patients undergoing clear aligner therapy owing to increased gingival inflammation and tooth sensitivity. Although pharmacological methods are routinely used for pain control, non-pharmacological approaches such as immersive virtual reality (VR) have emerged as promising alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of immersive VR in reducing periodontal pain during oral prophylaxis in patients receiving clear aligner therapy.
Materials and Methods:
A randomized controlled clinical study was conducted on 70 adolescent patients (15–20 years) undergoing clear aligner therapy and requiring routine oral prophylaxis. Participants were randomly allocated into a test group (VR-assisted treatment) and a control group (conventional treatment). Patients in the test group wore an IRUSU MONSTER VR headset and viewed immersive 360° audiovisual content during the procedure, whereas the control group received standard periodontal care without VR. Pain perception was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during and immediately after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
No significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to age or sex distribution (p > 0.03). The VR group demonstrated significantly lower pain perception than the control group. Statistically significant reductions in pain scores were observed both during and after oral prophylaxis in the VR group, with significant intergroup differences (Mann–Whitney U test) and significant reductions in pain within both groups (VR: p = 0.008; control: p = 0.033). These findings indicate that immersive VR effectively alleviated periodontal discomfort and improved the overall treatment experience.
Conclusion:
Immersive virtual reality is an effective, safe, and non-pharmacological adjunct for reducing periodontal pain during oral prophylaxis in patients undergoing clear aligner therapy. Its incorporation into routine periodontal care has the potential to enhance patient comfort, improve treatment acceptance, and promote better compliance with orthodontic therapy. Further multicentre randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings and establish standardized clinical protocols
Article Details
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