HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS CHANGING ORAL HEALTH CARE
The phrase “artificial intelligence” is not new. In the 1950 issue of Mind, Alan Turing stated the following in his paper titled Computing Machinery and Intelligence, “I believe that at the end of the century (20th), the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted.”
Turing’s prediction has come true as artificial intelligence has become an integral part of our lives, from virtual assistants to self-driving cars. However, the debate over whether machines can truly think like humans continues to be a topic of discussion among experts in the field.
As defined by hubspot.com, Artificial intelligence (AI) is an advanced technology, typically run by a series of algorithms, computers, or robots, that uses real-time data to simulate human intelligence. AI can replicate human discernment and make real-time decisions.
We are all familiar with AI, from voice assistants to personalized recommendations on online shopping platforms. Very importantly, AI is making significant strides in the healthcare industry.
It is particularly gaining traction in dentistry, with applications such as diagnosis, decision-making, planning of treatments, and treatment result prediction. The most common use of AI in dentistry is diagnosis, as it reduces the workload of dentists. Dental computer programs are improving in intelligence, accuracy, and dependability.
The dental chair which is an essential component of dental treatment, has seen a transformation from physiologic, hydraulic pressure chairs with a manual pump to electronic chairs with many sensors connected. The most recent advancement is a voice-command dental chair, which eliminates the need for the dentist to physically do any tasks. Soon, dental chairs will be able to monitor a patient's vital signs, anxiety level, weight, and length of the procedure while also consoling the patient and alerting the operating doctors if any differences are detected.
AI has revolutionized oral surgery, with robotic surgery being the most significant use. Image-guided cranial surgical treatments such as dental implants, tumour and foreign object removal, biopsies, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery have been effective in clinical settings. Comparative studies of oral implant surgery show that it is more accurate than the freehand approach, with shorter operation times, improved intraoperative precision, and safer handling around fragile structures. AI has revolutionized surgery, with multiple robotic surgeons now performing semi-automated surgical operations under the supervision of a qualified surgeon.
- AI in Forensic Odontology
AI is a scientific advancement that has been widely used in forensic medicine. It has been demonstrated to be highly successful in determining the biological age and gender of both healthy and ill people. It is also used to analyse bite marks and predict the mandibular shape.
- AI in Dental Radiology
AI-driven software can analyse dental X-rays to assist dentists in more precisely identifying cavities, periodontal disease, and other dental problems. The use of this application enables dentists to create treatment plans that are more efficient and enhance patient results.
- AI in Orthodontics
Orthodontists have traditionally had a difficult time diagnosing malocclusion due to several factors being taken into account during the cephalometric examination. AI is the perfect tool for addressing orthodontic issues, as it can be used to plan treatments and predict outcomes, such as modelling the differences between pre- and post-treatment facial images. In lateral cephalograms, the effects of orthodontic treatment, skeletal patterns, and anatomical landmarks can be seen clearly.
- AI in Prosthetic Dentistry
RaPid is a design assistant for prosthodontics that combines anthropological calculations, face proportions, ethnicity, and patient preferences to create the ideal aesthetic prosthesis. It uses a logic-based portrayal as a unifying framework to connect databases, knowledge-based systems, and computer-aided design. With advances in neural networks, laboratories are using AI to autonomously manufacture new dental restorations that satisfy the highest fit, function, and aesthetic criteria. This will not only help dentistry but also have an impact on orofacial and craniofacial prostheses.
Periodontitis is a common disorder that affects billions of people and can lead to tooth movement and possibly tooth loss. The diagnosis of periodontal disease is based on measuring gingival recession and pocket probing depths. The Periodontal Screening Index (PSI) is used to measure clinical attachment loss. However, the PSI has limited reliability due to dentists' experience and may not detect localized periodontal tissue loss. AI has been used in periodontics to diagnose periodontitis and categorize likely forms of periodontal disease.
- AI in Endodontics
Endodontics, the discipline of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp and tissues surrounding tooth roots, offers various applications for artificial intelligence (AI). AI systems can be trained on vast quantities of dental pictures and patient data to reliably detect and diagnose dental diseases. AI can also assist in determining the best treatment options for particular patients based on their specific dental issues. AI has the potential to increase the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis and treatment planning, resulting in better patient outcomes.
There has been much discussion about how AI may alter dentistry, but it is still unclear if AI will ever entirely replace dentists. Dental treatment involving technology without human involvement is not clinical care. Machines are unable to offer clinical intuition, intuitive perception, or empathy, which are crucial for providing personalized healthcare and professionalism. The most exciting part of human-to-human contact cannot be simply transferred into computer language. Instead, the use of AI should be considered a complementary tool to help dentists and other specialists. It is essential to make sure AI is used in dentistry in a secure and regulated way to guarantee that humans maintain the capacity to oversee treatment and make knowledgeable judgments.
Tarinabo Sounyo
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