Virtual reality in restorative dentistry

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 23. September 2025

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DOHA, Qatar: Virtual reality (VR) is rapidly gaining ground in dental training, particularly for restorative dentistry. A new bibliometric study from a team of researchers in Qatar has mapped the global research landscape, highlighting trends, leading contributors and critical gaps that must be addressed if immersive technologies are to fulfil their potential in education and practice.

The study analysed 434 publications and identified 62 that directly examined VR in restorative dentistry. It reveals a sharp rise in output since 2019, reflecting both technological advances and the accelerated adoption of digital learning during the pandemic.¹

Geographically, the US, the UK and the Netherlands emerged as the most productive nations, and Harvard University, the University of Leeds and the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam lead in institutional contributions. Despite this, the authors found relatively low levels of international and interdisciplinary collaboration, underlining a need for stronger global research networks.

The most cited article focused on the role of haptic dental simulators in developing motor skills, demonstrating how tactile feedback can support more effective preclinical training. Broader findings point to VR’s capacity to improve manual dexterity, knowledge retention and clinical confidence. However, the review also identified challenges: a lack of standardisation in study design, limited long-term data and the financial barriers that still restrict access to advanced simulation systems. The authors conclude that VR holds clear promise as an adjunct to traditional dental training, but stress that wider collaboration and more robust evidence are required to embed it effectively into curricula worldwide.

The bibliometric findings align with a growing body of evidence. A recent narrative review in the Journal of Dental Sciences mapped the use of VR and augmented reality in surgical training, showing how real-time overlays improve precision in implant placement and immersive simulations accelerate skill acquisition.²

Outside academia, leading institutions and industry innovators are already putting these insights into practice. For example, New York University in the US announced in December 2024 that it had integrated VR into its dental programmes, offering students fully immersive training environments.

Together, these developments highlight a field in transition, moving beyond experimental trials towards widespread integration. The new bibliometric study provides the clearest map yet of how VR in restorative dentistry has evolved—and where it must go next.

Editorial note:

References

Matoug-Elwerfelli M, Daud A, Ali K, Abdou A. Virtual reality in restorative dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of research trends. BDJ Open. 2025 Sep 2;11(1):77. doi: 10.1038/s41405-025-00364-2.
Lin PY, Chen TC, Lin CJ, Huang CC, Tsai YH, Tsai YL, Wang CY. The use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in dental surgery education and practice: a narrative review. J Dent Sci. 2024 Dec;19(Suppl 2):S91–101. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2024.10.011.