Evaluating the reliability and educational quality of YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos on custom subperiosteal implants: a cross-sectional methodological analysis

Background: Social media platforms such as YouTube™ and TikTok™ have become increasingly influential sources of oral health information. However, the reliability and educational value of videos on advanced surgical procedures, including custom subperiosteal implants, remain uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality, accuracy, and educational usefulness of YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos related to custom subperiosteal implant procedures. Methods: This cross-sectional methodological study analyzed 38 videos (YouTube = 23, TikTok = 15) identified using English and Turkish keywords. Eligible videos were assessed independently by two calibrated reviewers using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). A seven-domain content rubric specific to subperiosteal implant education was also applied. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted. Interrater agreement was evaluated using Weighted Kappa for GQS and DISCERN, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for VIQI, JAMA, and total scores. Results: Overall video quality was moderate, with mean scores of GQS = 2.66 ± 1.43, DISCERN = 32.71 ± 21.66, JAMA = 1.70 ± 0.54, and VIQI = 10.83 ± 4.90. Strong positive correlations were observed among GQS and DISCERN (r = 0.933, p < 0.001), GQS and VIQI (r = 0.942, p < 0.001), and DISCERN and VIQI (r = 0.949, p < 0.001), indicating substantial concordance among validated quality instruments. In contrast, total views demonstrated a strong negative correlation with JAMA scores (r = -0.748, p < 0.001), and likes were negatively correlated with JAMA (r = -0.822, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher viewer engagement was not associated with greater transparency or reliability. Interrater agreement was excellent across all tools (ICC > 0.79). No statistically significant differences were observed among uploader categories (p > 0.05), although videos uploaded by academic institutions and dentists demonstrated descriptively higher quality scores. Conclusions: YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos related to custom subperiosteal implants demonstrate moderate reliability and educational value, with substantial variability in content completeness. Video popularity did not reflect scientific accuracy. These findings should be interpreted in light of the limited sample size, the non-validated nature of the topic-specific rubric, and inherent differences between social media platforms. High-quality, evidence-based audiovisual resources created by dentists and academic institutions are needed to support patient education and informed decision-making. Trial registration: Not applicable.