The role of extended reality in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a scoping review

Extended reality (XR) technologies, including augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), are increasingly transforming surgical disciplines. Oral and maxillofacial surgery, given the anatomical complexity and precision required, is particularly suited to benefit from these innovations. The aim of this scoping review was to map the clinical applications of XR in oral and maxillofacial surgery and compare the most commonly used commercial headsets. A comprehensive literature search was performed across the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering studies published between January 2018 and June 2025. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Overall, 759 records were identified in the database and subsequent citation search, of which 90 met the predefined inclusion criteria. The studies were categorized based on the type of application: training, preoperative planning, virtual surgical planning (VSP), and intraoperative guidance. The analysis revealed that AR and MR are predominantly employed in intraoperative procedures, enhancing surgical navigation and precision. In contrast, fully immersive VR is primarily employed in training, preoperative simulation, and VSP, while its adoption in the postoperative phase remains a promising area for future exploration. XR technologies hold significant potential in oral and maxillofacial surgery and are evolving rapidly and diversifying in their applications. Further research and regulatory validation are needed to support clinical integration and evaluate long-term outcomes.