From pain relief and medical training to phobias and psychological trauma treatment, there are a wide range of fantastic uses for 360 VR in medicine. Something that we haven't yet shed much light on are the amazing benefits of 360 VR in dentistry.
The dental market is growing significantly each year and according to Statista, it is estimated to be worth $36.8 billion in 2021. This development is synonymous with the the global augmented reality & virtual reality in healthcare market, which according to Grand View Research, Inc., is estimated to be worth $5.1 billion by 2025. Therefore, there is no doubt that the early adopters within the dental sector will be using 360 VR more and more.
Read on to discover more about the benefits of 360 VR in dentistry.
"When's the best time to go to the dentist? Tooth hurty!"
Nobody particularly looks forward to a trip to the dentist. For some people it's their worst nightmare - especially if they're getting a filling or a tooth removed.
Pain and anxiety relief are both proven benefits of 360 VR in dentistry. According to the 2017 Cystic Fibrosis treatment trial at Llandough Hospital by Orchard Media and Events Group Ltd, the average reduction of stress whilst experiencing 360 content was 75%.
"The average reduction of stress whilst experiencing 360 content was 75%"
An increased number of dental practices are starting to experiment with VR distraction techniques, particularly now that there are more high-quality, cheaper, standalone VR headsets, such as the Oculus Go. The main premise behind VR distraction in dentistry is that if people are immersed in a fully three-dimensional, 360-degree environment while being 'worked on', their brain will be essentially tricked into believing the subject is somewhere pleasant. The subject's pain pathways in the brain will be diverted as a result, which will lead to decreased anxiety and less pain experienced. A positive experience results in positive feedback and more satisfaction.
According to an Environment and Behaviour study published in Sage Journals, a group of eighty people in the UK who needed a tooth removed or a cavity filled, were split into three groups. Two of these groups were given VR headsets during the procedures, while the third group did not.
"Those in the group who were immersed in a coastal virtual reality experience were the ones who reported significantly less pain and anxiety"
The findings showed that those in the group who were immersed in a coastal virtual reality experience were the ones who reported significantly less pain and anxiety compared to the group who virtually explored cityscapes and the unlucky ones who had to stare up at the uninspiring ceiling.
Not so 'tooth hurty' now...more half past free to escape the dentist!
Imagine being immersed in one of Blend Media's 360 videos while lying back on the dentist chair. Not bad hey?
The 360 video above was captured by Blend creator, Virtual 360.
To note: All subjects were also offered pain relief medication if needed - VR distraction therapy in this case may or may not be used to compliment more traditional pain relief methods.
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