Kavin Thamotharan

Introduction:

Dentistry is a vital branch of healthcare focused on oral hygiene. The importance of care of teeth and gums is of great significance due to the contribution to improved quality of life it provides. With the advancement in technologies, it has helped revolutionize how dentists address challenges such as diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care.AI refers to systems and algorithms capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. This increased usage of technology alongside healthcare enhances accuracy, efficiency, and patient outcomes. The integration of AI in dentistry signifies a new era where innovation meets compassionate care. As research and development continue to expand the capabilities of AI, the potential to improve dental healthcare delivery and outcomes becomes increasingly promising. This combination of clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology paves the way for a more efficient, accessible, and personalized approach to oral health. 

 Discussion:

Artificial intelligence has had a significant impact in the field of dentistry. Using advanced image processing techniques, it can analyse dental x-rays and images and detect potential dental problems. For example, artificial intelligence algorithms can be used to identify caries, gum disease, or structural problems in teeth. This is an important step for early diagnosis and treatment plans to be prepared.

Main uses of AI in dentistry:

The main key areas of uses of AI fall under Orthodontics, Radiology, Diagnosis, Endodontics and Robotic surgeries. Orthodontics focuses on jaw and teeth alignment, with AI assisting treatment plans. Dentists and Orthodontists are able to create 3 dimensional models of their patients’ teeth and jaws using AI systems. This ultimately allows for better planning for more complex procedures such as implant surgery or orthodontic treatment. Diagnosis refers to the process of identifying oral health conditions, diseases and abnormalities through clinical examination and diagnostic tools such as x rays. Radiology refers to how AI can be used to analyse dental radiographs. These include panoramic X-rays, CBCT scans, periapical films which allows common dental conditions to be identified early on. Other benefits of using AI in Radiology include early detection of cavities between teeth. Furthermore, radiology, is used in periodontal disease assessment. This helps to analyse bone levels to detect early signs of periodontitis. It is also used in periapical lesions which allows to identify abscesses, cysts around the tooth roots. Another use of radiology is in endodontic pathologies in which AI can help detect root fractures. Endodontics is the dental speciality concerned with the study and the treatment of the dental pulp.

Although there are many positives when it comes to use of AI with the AI models being very impressive and promising in dentistry there are still several limitations. This includes the fact that dentists need to validate their reliability with other appropriate data from new patients and through other dental services. Although AI is becoming more and more trusted, it still requires constant supervision from humans as AI is still prone to malfunctions and errors. Another drawback from humans is the lack of emotion given out.  Key emotions and characteristics of dentists such as compassion and empathy are non-existent when it comes to AI technology. However, one of the biggest concerns when it comes to the use of AI in Dentistry and a problem that is still trying to be solved is the idea of security risks as all information is stored in the system. A growing concern is also the potential loss of jobs leading to an increase in unemployment as AI takes over dentistry. This not only has social effects but also plays a significant role financially not just to those in the profession, but also towards the economy as a whole. AI provides a lack of creativity and more importantly lack of ethical considerations and as AI will continue to develop over the years, there is also a potential risk that can be imposed of students becoming over reliant on AI which may impact their development in fields such as critical thinking. Critical thinking is useful as it allows a dentist to make an informed diagnosis and create personal treatment plans for each patient.

Deeper Insight into CBCT in Dentistry:

CBCT scans stand for Cone beam computed tomography which can then be further used for
pre-implant planning, preoperative evaluation and postsurgical assessment in various oral-surgical,
periodontal, endodontic, restorative and prosthodontic scenarios.

Applications of CBCT in Dentistry:

One use of CBCT scans is Dental Implant Planning assesses bone density and volume for implant placement. Identifies anatomical structures (e.g., nerves, sinuses) to avoid implications. Another use is in Orthodontics which helps in cephalometric analysis and treatment planning. It also helps to provides insights into tooth positioning and jaw alignment. Another important use of CBCT scans is endodontics and specifically involved in root canal treatment. As mentioned before endodontics is the study and treatment of the dental pulp. Endodontics detects complex root canal anatomy, fractures and infections. It further assists in locating hidden canals or pathology near the root apex. The final main use of CBCT scans involves Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. This is used when evaluating impacted teeth for example wisdom teeth and it further assist in planning corrective jaw surgery or trauma cases. Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of the teeth (including implants), jaws, temporomandibular joints, salivary glands and facial skin lesions.

 
 Advantages and Disadvantages of CBCT scans:        

High-Resolution 3D Imaging provides detailed images for precise diagnosis and treatment planning. Lower Radiation Compared to Traditional CT scans. CBCT uses less radiation than a medical CT scan while providing sufficient detail for dental applications. CBCY also have a quick scan time which typically takes less than a minute to complete. Furthermore, CBCT scans provide improved accuracy that reduces the chances of diagnostic errors compared to 2d X-rays an example being that of panoramic x-rays.

However, although the radiation exposure is lower than medical CT scans it is still higher than the conventional dental X-rays. Furthermore, it is more expensive than traditional dental radiographs. As well as this being able to analyse 3D images and these radiographs accurately and efficiently requires specialised training and hence provides interpretation challenges.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, AI should be incorporated into the future of dentistry, but with careful regulation and with continuous human oversight. It provides the ability to revolutionize the field by improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient care.

One of the primary benefits of AI in dentistry is its ability to assist in early disease detection and precision diagnostics. AI-powered imaging software can analyse radiographs and intraoral scans with greater accuracy than traditional methods, potentially identifying conditions like cavities, periodontal disease, and even oral cancers at earlier stages. This can lead to improved treatment outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare costs. Additionally, AI can enhance treatment planning by predicting patient responses to different procedures, ultimately leading to more personalized care.

However, there are still major concerns that need to be overcome. The main one being the ethical challenges. Ethical concerns are guaranteed to arise regarding data security and patient confidentiality, as AI. Dentists must continue to play a crucial role in interpreting AI-generated insights and making informed clinical decisions. It is also pivotal to remember that AI should be used as a tool alongside humans, rather than replace role of dentists. Reliance on AI also poses challenges. Overdependence on technology could lead to a loss of essential diagnostic skills among dentists in the long run which can leave a detrimental impact on society.

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