Figure 1: Artificial intelligence analyzes an x-ray of a patient’s teeth for their condition and possible treatments.
Source credit: MIT News (LINK)
In 700 BC, humans tried to come up with various methods to replace lost teeth through dentures created out of wood, ivory, and bone. Fast forward to the 17th and 18th centuries, prosthodontics—a field of dentistry specializing in creating artificial replacements for parts of the mouth—takes root in the field of dentistry, and the development of sustainable dentures increases rapidly. For hundreds of years, scientists and dentists have studied and refined their craftsmanship to produce the dentures we know today. Today, prosthodontists are one of the most valued dental careers in the world—until Artificial Intelligence (AI) stepped in.
The development of AI, a data-driven computer system that is able to simulate human intelligence, has exponentially increased over the past decade. Thousands of people use AI every day with their phones and computers due to its high efficiency. With this technological advancement, scientists have developed programs that can analyze dental images to create highly-accurate models using machine learning techniques.
For example, Denti.AI is a program that charts dental x-rays and helps identify certain conditions of the patient. Another prominent software is Overjet. The computer program determines what treatments are needed for the patients by analyzing the patients’ oral conditions and past records. In such ways, AI is developing at a rapid pace and today, AI can process tens of thousands of images to generate a 3D model of the patient's mouth. Through the aid of AI, human errors like flawed prosthetics can be reduced significantly in the process of implant classification and making dentures.
According to medical engineers Pareek and Kaushik, "Hong et al conducted a study with the deployment of a convolutional neural network (CNN) from deep learning for determining the efficacy of CNN models to classify the implants with the help of panoramic and periapical radiographs... The result was compared with the 3 expert periodontists after statistical analyses... From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the deep CNN model can be a helpful aid in classifying implant systems with almost equal or greater accuracy compared to humans." (Pareek and Kaushik 368).
Though the capacity of the CNN model is hard to determine with a comparison with only three expert periodontists, the research is significant enough to show that AI has a bright future. Furthermore, according to Dr. Jacquie Smiles, AI can offer insights that are not biased. Especially when dentists are busy seeing numerous patients each day, they could easily jump to conclusions or fail to catch a certain pattern. AI could help correct these errors and help provide better care for patients.
As much as the scientific community has high hopes for AI’s potential, some also fear the possibility of AIs stealing the job of dentists. Though the final decision is always left up to the dentist, the efficiency and accuracy of AI could begin to replace one or two humans. Despite these concerns, both the patients and dentists look forward to a future with fewer mistakes, fewer waiting times, and fewer working hours—all thanks to AI.
Q&A:
Anna: How are the phones and computers we use different from technologies used by dentists and oral experts?
The AI of phones and computers is actually very similar to the ones used by oral experts. In the end, they both use algorithms and thousands of reference images and information to produce a result based on their data. The key difference would be that the product and purpose are different. For instance, the purpose of the Youtube algorithm is to make you watch more videos by keeping a record of the types of videos you click on and suggesting ones similar to that. Thus the product of this AI would be videos of the viewers’ preferences. On the other hand, the purpose of AI in dentistry is to analyze the patient’s information and determine treatment as soon as possible. Thus the AI would be producing results that are thorough and unbiased.
David: What are the specific benefits that can come from using AI - how do 3D models and processing of images help dentists and researchers? What is its significance for dentistry?
The specific benefits of using AI are higher accuracy, efficiency, and perhaps even cost reduction. The 3D models are helpful for dentists to not only view the patients’ mouths from various angles but also predict how the teeth would shift when a certain treatment is given. For instance, Invisalign is a company that uses such models to create effective aligners. Higher accuracy and efficiency mean that dentists would be able to see more patients than before and provide an even higher quality of treatment.
Works Cited
“AI for Dental X-Ray Imaging and Voice Charting.” Denti.AI: AI for Dental X-Ray Imaging and Voice Charting, https://www.denti.ai/.
“Applying Artificial Intelligence to Dentistry.” Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 20 May 2020, https://hsdm.harvard.edu/news/applying-artificial-intelligence-dentistry.
“How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Future of Dentistry.” Dr. Jacquie Smiles, 31 May 2019, https://drjacquiesmiles.com/how-artificial-intelligence-will-change-the-future-of-dentistry/.
Pareek, Mitali and Brahmansh Kaushik. "Artificial intelligence in prosthodontics: a scoping review on current applications and future possibilities." International Journal of Advances in Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, 11 Mar. 2022, p. 367-370, https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20220444.
Comments