The Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Odontology

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is opening a world of possibilities for dentists. From shorter procedures to lower patient costs, researchers have already identified several ways that AI could revolutionize the field of dentistry. Let’s discuss a few of the most promising innovations with regard to artificial intelligence in dentistry.

 

Shorter Procedures

Without the use of AI, segmenting a patient’s teeth and jaw in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan can take up to 5 hours. This procedure is most often performed for diagnostic purposes or before dental surgeries to identify the patient’s underlying bone structure, soft tissue, and nerves. A recent study found that incorporating AI into this process cut completion time from 5 hours to a mere 25 seconds. Despite this massive time difference, the scan’s accuracy was not significantly impacted, and results were just as accurate as those done by hand. These results show how promising AI is when it comes to time-consuming procedures like CBCT scans.

 

Faster and More Effective Treatments

 In addition to saving dental professionals time and effort, AI helps patients get the same high-quality treatments in a fraction of the time. Researchers at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and School of Engineering are currently studying the use of AI in dental imaging, and the positive results speak for themselves. By enlisting the help of a digital program, the participating dentists were able to provide patients with a faster and more precise dental analysis and diagnosis. AI may also help to reduce human error, because computers can detect information that the naked eye cannot.

 

Another exciting aspect of embracing digital dentistry is that many practices are now able to quickly produce custom crowns on-site. According to the study from Tufts University, computers make it possible to create customized crowns in the same time as it takes to make a pair of prescription eyeglasses. This is because they enable dental offices to take precise scans of a patient’s teeth and surrounding tissue. The upside for the patient is substantial, as this will reduce their wait time and minimize the discomfort they feel before having a crown placed.

 

Lower Costs of Care

For the large number of people who do not have dental insurance or have a plan with limited coverage, cost remains a top concern. Insurance companies typically do not cover the cost of analyzing an X-ray taken for diagnostic purposes and dental procedures, especially for implants and other complex surgeries, which can be expensive. As a result, some people will forgo treatment until their symptoms become unbearable, which can cause irreparable damage or even adversely affect their overall health. Luckily, AI will help in this respect, too:  Employing a digital program to analyze dental images may speed up the process, thus reducing the number of office visits.  Instead of spending 5 hours to analyze an X-ray, dentists can run the image through specialized software and run a full report in minutes or even seconds.

 

The Future of Dentistry

 Countless studies are already finding major benefits to incorporating AI technology into dentistry, and it’s clear that AI will play an important role in the dental industry going forward. Digital dentistry is the future, and Richmond Dental is committed to keeping you informed. Visit richmonddental.net to learn more about our made in the USA, dental and medical supplies.