Clinical efficacy of mixed-reality holographic imaging-based nonsurgical periodontal therapy: A randomized controlled split-mouth study

Objectives

This randomized, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial compared the short-term clinical efficacy of mixed-reality holographic imaging-based scaling and root planing (MR-SRP) and conventional SRP (C-SRP) in the treatment of severe periodontitis.

Methods

Patients with generalized stage III periodontitis (grade B or C) were recruited. Using a split-mouth design, the contralateral quadrants were randomly assigned to receive either MR-SRP or C-SRP. The primary outcome measure was the number of sites with both a probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP). Multivariate multilevel logistic regression models were used to quantify the effects of treatment modality, sex, smoking status, tooth type, site characteristics, and baseline PPD on treatment outcomes.

Results

At the 3-month follow-up, both modalities yielded significant reductions in the number of sites with a PPD ≥5 mm and BOP compared with baseline (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that MR-SRP treatment (OR = 1.37, p = 0.02), middle site (OR = 1.44, p = 0.03), molar (OR = 0.30, p < 0.01), and baseline PPD (OR = 0.26, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with site healing.

Conclusions

Compared with C-SRP, the MR-SRP approach demonstrated superior short-term clinical outcomes, likely due to the achieved three-dimensional visualization of periodontal structures.

Clinical significance

Within the limits of the present study, mixed-reality holographic imaging could be a clinically variable adjunct tool for periodontal therapy. This technology shows promise for managing severe periodontitis, potentially improving treatment outcomes through enhanced visualization and instrument navigation.