Artificial intelligence in dentistry is going to revolutionize the dental industry. Patients will be fundamentally different in the future than they are today, and the change is in full swing. According to current analyses, patients aged 65 and over have a close relationship with their doctors, while baby boomers (born until 1970) often want a second opinion. Accordingly, doctor loyalty declined significantly, especially from generation Y or Selfie (born after 1985).
Due to the growing Internet penetration, young patients are looking for specialized doctors, and at the same time – contradictively – want “holistic” care. The latter has resulted in a trend towards closer inter-professional collaboration, for example in dentistry and dental technology.
After 2000 births (generation Z / Greta), on the one hand, they focused on the topic of sustainability. Regardless, they are “technoholics” and believe in artificial intelligence and robot technology. The media and the Internet are the primary source of information for this generation. Since, this generation is going to be the future market, artificial intelligence and robotic treatments in the medical industry is going to be the trend in the second half of this century.
Role of AI in Dentistry
Let’s start with a fundamental question first, what is AI? An intelligent decision based on the analysis of data using a specific set of rules that is acquired through learning and refined with increasing experience. So far, it is people who make such decisions – for example dentists who, based on their many years of study and practical experience, analyse an X-ray image, make a diagnosis, and make a therapy recommendation.
In the future, however, computer programs will increasingly be able to make such and similar dental decisions. The software does not work with predefined decision rules, but examines the database for typical patterns, on the basis of which it learns the rules independently and refines them continuously with each newly added data record. Machine learning works particularly well for repetitive tasks with a large database – that is, exactly where people get bored quickly or lose track. In addition, the AI works quickly, fatigue-free and completely impartially.
AI-assisted dentistry is going to be very common soon, no exaggeration!
AI is unlikely to replace the dentist for the foreseeable future, but it will be able to relieve it of increasingly complex tasks. But, we’ve already witnessed the potential of AI and machine learning in dentistry. For example, Invisalign are clear braces that straighten teeth using artificial intelligence and big data and at the same time don’t look ugly like metal braces. Here’s an interesting though little outdated article about Invisalign published in New York Times in 2000. Another in-depth article explains what Invisalign learnt after straightening teeth of 8 million people and the humongous data obtained during the course.
Besides, the greatest advance for dentistry lies in improved diagnostics. In addition, AI at the practice or clinic level enables the dentist to be relieved of routine medical tasks and optimization of the administrative processes, which leaves more time for high-quality patient care.
From a public health perspective, AI-assisted dentistry can help improve the density and quality of care for broad sections of the population.
Examples of AI-based diagnostics
Two projects for evaluating dental X-rays are still in the development phase:
- Dentistry.AI is a cloud-based software for caries detection based on bitewing images, which can be connected to digital X-ray devices via interfaces.
- Dx Vision from Dentem works on the AI-supported detection of tooth fillings, root-treated teeth, implants, and other objects.
There is also great AI potential for holistic dentistry in the evaluation of DVT recordings, especially in the early detection of periodontitis, alveolar ridge atrophy, and reduced bone density.
Examples of AI-based orthodontics monitoring
In the field of orthodontics, a game-changing technology has been introduced in the last few years, which unfortunately didn’t get much media coverage. Dental Monitoring, a pioneer French company specialized in remote dental monitoring systems has developed and successfully commercialized a system that allows orthodontists and dentists to telemonitor the progress of their patient’s orthodontic/dental treatments without the patient having to visit the practice, a huge relief in the current pandemic.
Using a smartphone and an app developed by the DM, the patient takes images of their teeth, which are then uploaded into the DM’s system via the app. AI is used to compare the pictures with previous data and can detect even minor changes. The system then notifies the orthodontist, allowing for timely intervention and efficient treatment adjustments. In addition to avoiding unnecessary check-up visits, the system can also accelerate orthodontic treatments by identifying the point at which the patient is ready to progress to the next corrective step.
The cooperation project of the companies Dental Monitoring and Straumann is to be expanded in the future to include other applications (control of oral hygiene, caries, and gingivitis diagnosis).
The future of dentistry and the medical industry overall is going to be interesting in this century. It’ll be very exciting for the people from Gen Y and even Gen Z to witness these innovations unfold in the next few decades.
