Artificial Intelligence Applications in Dentistry

We are thrilled to announce a special collection of manuscripts dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dental care, published in the Journal of the California Dental Association. Our goal is to equip dental professionals with knowledge of the potential of AI and to encourage them to incorporate AI-powered tools into their clinical practice. In today’s rapidly evolving world of technology, advanced tools such as CHAT-GTP (https://chat.openai.com) and DALL-E (https://labs.openai.com) are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and transforming the way we approach dental care (Figure 1). As such, it is crucial for dentists to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and technical terminology to enhance patient outcomes.

Figure 1. Example of automated art produced by the DALL-E AI system* from OpenAI. Using the keywords “digital art of AI systems and healthcare,” the system generated an original illustration that can be interpreted in various ways by each reader. The image exemplifies the creative potential of AI systems. *The author generated this image in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model.

As technology continues to evolve and advance, AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the delivery of dental care.^1,2,3–5 The manuscripts in this collection highlight the latest advancements in AI technology and their potential impact on the field of dentistry. The topics covered include Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Surgery, Endodontics, Dental Education, and Periodontics, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in staying up-to-date on the latest developments in the fields.

Dr. Miranda et al.⁶ discuss the pioneering applications of AI in orthodontics, focusing on cutting-edge 3D imaging techniques, cloud-based systems, and AI tools for image segmentation, disease detection, and landmark identification. Their manuscript offers valuable insights into the state-of-the-art in digital orthodontics, which can help professionals stay updated on the latest advances in this exciting area of research.

Dr. Chau’s group⁷ conducted a review on the use of AI in teeth reconstruction, highlighting the use of programmable AI systems, biogeneric tooth libraries, and deep learning models for tooth reconstruction. The review underscores the significant potential of AI as a powerful tool for automated tooth reconstruction.

Dr. Kato and her group⁸ provide new insights on the use of digital data and AI tools in orthognathic surgery, reviewing the applications of AI in computer-aided surgical simulation, anatomical structure identification, differential diagnosis of orthodontic treatment, facial attractiveness, and improvements in safety. The authors conclude that AI-based tools have the potential to significantly contribute to various aspects of orthognathic surgery.

Dr. Lai and his group⁹ emphasize the potential benefits of AI in endodontics, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcome prediction. The review summarizes the current and potential future applications of AI in endodontics, such as root canal anatomy assessment, working length determination, and root fracture detection. The use of AI in endodontics can contribute to the preservation of natural dentition.

Dr. Saghiri’s group¹⁰ discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating AI in dental education. AI can complement human tasks such as radiological examinations, clinical diagnoses, and anatomy training, and it can also assess students’ comprehension through automated facial recognition. However, effectively integrating AI technologies into dental education requires implementing recommended guidelines.

The study by Miller and colleagues¹¹ evaluates the performance of AI models in detecting radiographic bone loss (RBL) using panoramic radiographs, periapical images, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for diagnosing periodontal disease. Although AI systems can be useful for screening radiographic images for periodontal disease, further development is needed to accurately and reliably assess RBL and determine the risk of periodontal disease.

In summary, the collection of manuscripts featured in the Journal of the California Dental Association provides valuable insights into the latest advancements in AI technology and its potential impact on dentistry. By exploring the intersection of AI and dentistry, this collection aims to inform and educate dental professionals, while also inspiring new ideas and innovations in the field. As the field of dentistry continues to evolve and embrace technology, the use of AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the delivery of dental care.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the AAOF - Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship.

Notes on contributors

Jonas Bianchi

Jonas Bianchi is an Assistant Professor of Orthodontics at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, affiliated with the University of the Pacific, located in San Francisco, California. He is a graduate of Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, where he earned his DDS, MSc, PhD, and Orthodontics training. During his PhD, Dr. Bianchi conducted research at the University of Michigan and completed a post-doctoral research fellowship. Dr. Bianchi's research is focused on leveraging data science approaches and artificial intelligence to develop decision support systems in Orthodontics. He is committed to developing technology that enables personalized treatment for patients, and he also utilizes these tools to educate orthodontics residents.