Smile Al-igned: the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Dentistry

By: Ethan Philip

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence is changing the lives of everyone around the world. Whether it be in professional settings or at home, we are growing more reliant on AI as it evolves. Recently, AI has assisted some of the most skilled practitioners around the planet, namely in dentistry. AI mainly aids dentists in disciplines such as orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and operative dentistry, and it serves as a tool to help dentists be more efficient in their work.

Is AI even better than trained professionals?

To put it bluntly, yes.

In 2021, the Journal of Dental Sciences published a study that evaluated Artificial Intelligence in dentistry. The researchers examined the performance of AI in diagnosis, developing the prognosis of treatment, and clinical decision-making. Sources from online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were curated into a small collection of notable studies spanning from 2000 to 2020, and an analysis of this data was performed. What the study found was astonishing: AI was better at the prediction of prognosis and treatment planning, and it also improved the diagnosis of dental caries, osteoporosis, cancerous lesions, and other conditions. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that AI is a highly useful resource with the capability to outperform trained dentists. When AI and dentists complement one another, it creates enhanced accuracy and precision in practice.

“AI in dentistry can have an even greater impact in society and health than maybe any other health care domain," said Florian Hillen, founder of VideaHealth, an organization that develops Artificial Intelligence for healthcare services. "What we explain to our customers is it's like 100 dentists who have all seen 50 times as much data in their lifetime are looking over your shoulder," he told CBS News. VideaHealth’s AI model is composed of data from hundreds of dentists across the United States, which is compiled into an algorithm. 

How easily will AI be accepted by patients? 

As a result of the changes these algorithms bring to dentistry, patients tend to have a positive attitude towards AI, according to a 2022 Journal of Clinical Medicine study. Of the 165 patients who participated, most strongly agreed that AI helps dentists properly read radiographs and support dental diagnostics. Additionally, these patients often disagreed that AI raises security concerns in dentistry. The results of this study explain why the value of treatment plans can increase by as much as 26% when AI is used, according to Dental Economics. 

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is transforming dentistry and patient care in the modern era. Many studies have shown that dentists work more effectively when being assisted by AI. Treatment prognosis, diagnosis of diseases, and decision-making in dentistry are all improved with AI. Patients also seem to feel more secure when their dentists consult AI to interpret data. As Artificial Intelligence and dentists continue to collaborate, healthcare will be revolutionized, leading to better outcomes for patients around the globe.