نبذة مختصرة : Background: Traditional training methods for intraoral periapical radiography (IOPA) rely heavily on visual alignment cues and anatomical landmarks. These approaches often result in positioning and projection errors, particularly among novice practitioners, leading to repeated exposures and increased radiation doses. Despite their widespread use, few studies have quantitatively evaluated the effectiveness of real-time visual aids, such as laser-guided systems, in improving radiographic accuracy. Objective: This objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a laser-guided system in enhancing the precision of intraoral radiography training among dental students with two interventional groups (one using laser guidance and another without laser guidance). Methods: An observational cohort study involving 20 dental students was conducted. Participants were divided into a study group (10 students) using a laser-guided intraoral X-ray unit and a control group (10 students) employing conventional methods. A total of 500 intraoral periapical radiographs (250 per group) were analyzed for repeat rates and common positioning errors. Data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test to assess differences between the groups. Results: Significant improvements were noted in the laser-guided group: visualization of the area of interest improved by 15.2%, vertical angulation errors reduced by 16.1%, and partial image errors decreased by 12%. The overall repeat rate was significantly lower in the laser-guided group (5.5%) compared to the control group (22%) (P = 0.049, Chi-square test). Conclusion: Integrating laser-guided systems into radiographic training significantly enhances positioning accuracy, reduces repeat exposures, and improves overall patient safety. These findings support the inclusion of laser-based aids in dental education, and further research may explore their application across other radiographic techniques and imaging modalities.
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