Virtual Reality improves dental training – visiting lecture by Professor Sakarat Nalampang

Visiting lecture by prof. Sakarat Nalampang, Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University

Talk abstract

"Understanding maxillofacial anatomy is fundamental for safe and predictable dental implant placement. Dental students are traditionally instructed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, while virtual reality (VR) would offer an immersive, three-dimensional learning experience." 

"We compared the effectiveness of three instructional modalities - using CBCT, VR, and a hybrid CT+VR model - in teaching implant-related maxillofacial anatomy to 21 dental students. Learning outcomes were evaluated across three domains: knowledge, understanding, and clinical application, with both immediate post-learning and one-month retention assessments." 

"We demonstrated that VR-enhanced learning promotes deep conceptual understanding, stronger retention, and better transfer of knowledge to clinical applications than CBCT alone. A thoughtfully designed CT+VR hybrid can combine the diagnostic strength of CBCT with the experiential benefits of VR for more robust and enduring learning."

Project context

This work was carried out jointly by Tampere University and Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The study was part of MEDALLION, a Business Finland project coordinated by Tampere University, where we investigate the possibilities of extended reality and AI for medical applications. Prof. Sakarat Nalampang of Chiang Mai describes the study in a guest lecture. 

More about the project on MEDALLION website

Further information

Prof. Roope Raisamo
Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
roope.raisamo [at] tuni.fi (roope[dot]raisamo[at]tuni[dot]fi)

Jorma Järnstedt
jorma.jarnstedt [at] pirha.fi (jorma[dot]jarnstedt[at]pirha[dot]fi)