Utilization and Performance of a Rapid Treponemal Antibody Test for Diagnosis of Syphilis in a High-Risk Population at an Urban County Hospital.

Precise execution at a submillimetric level remains a fundamental requirement in endodontic microsurgery, where even minimal deviation in osteotomy or root-end resection can adversely affect surgical outcomes and increase the risk of iatrogenic injury to adjacent anatomical structures. Despite substantial advances in imaging and microsurgical techniques, the translation of virtual treatment planning into accurate intraoperative execution continues to represent a fundamental challenge in endodontic practice. EMS is indicated in cases of persistent apical periodontitis following failed root canal treatment, procedural complications such as ledges or separated instruments that preclude orthograde retreatment, complex root canal anatomies, or the presence of extra-radicular infection and apical pathology requiring direct surgical management [, ]. The procedure involves a sequence of highly technique-sensitive steps including flap reflection, osteotomy, root-end resection, retrograde preparation, and sealing, where treatment success is highly dependent on precise localization of the root apex, minimal bone removal, and preservation of surrounding structures such as the maxillary sinus, mental foramen, and neurovascular bundles [, ]. However, despite improvements in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnification systems, and microsurgical instruments, a discrepancy persists between preoperative planning and intraoperative execution due to limited depth perception, restricted visualization, and the need to mentally reconstruct three-dimensional anatomy from two-dimensional imaging, often resulting in positional inaccuracies and unnecessary bone removal [–]. Computer-assisted navigation systems have been introduced to improve surgical accuracy by providing real-time positional feedback based on CBCT-derived planning. Nevertheless, conventional dynamic navigation requires operators to divide attention between the surgical field and an external display, increasing cognitive load and potentially compromising hand eye coordination and procedural efficiency [, ]. Augmented reality (AR) technology aims to overcome these limitations by integrating virtual planning data directly into the surgeon’s field of view. This system utilizes preoperative CBCT datasets to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of dental and surrounding anatomical structures, along with planned osteotomy trajectories and depth cues. Through intraoperative registration techniques such as marker-based tracking, surface matching, or sensor-based alignment, these virtual models are spatially synchronized with the patient and displayed using optical see-through head-mounted devices, projection systems, or screen-based interfaces [, ]. By integrating virtual anatomical models with the operative field in real time, AR systems provide a “heads-up” visualization that allows simultaneous perception of both real and virtual environments. This enhances spatial orientation, depth perception, and intuitive instrument guidance without requiring gaze diversion from the surgical field [, ]. Additionally, integration with dynamic navigation systems enables a hybrid workflow combining quantitative tracking with visual overlays, which may further improve surgical precision and intraoperative control []. Existing experimental evidence indicates that AR-guided systems can reduce linear and angular deviations, limit excessive bone removal, and improve operator confidence, particularly in anatomically complex cases and among less experienced clinicians [, ].