In recent news, the National Cancer Institute awarded Loma Linda University School of Dentistry a $4 million grant to study oral precancer and its progression to oral cancer. Researchers will look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to develop a multiomic biomarker to identify patients with precancer who are most likely to develop oral cancer.
Today, AI and augmented reality (AR) have moved from the realm of science fiction and video games to practical applications in dentistry. DentistryIQ and Dental Economics have published articles on AI and how it is being (or will be) used in the dental profession—from enhancing patient communication and making administrative tasks easier, to lesion detection, 3D imaging, and patient education. Read more at the links below.
Starting at the beginning: Dental school
The UCLA School of Dentistry has integrated a cloud-based radiologic AI software platform into its dental school curriculum to instantly analyze and annotate radiographic dental images as well as identify most pathologies that are identifiable in x-rays.
Front office and administrative tasks
ChatGPT can help you draft emails, patient education materials, and newsletters as well as social media posts and marketing. It can free dentists and staff members from routine tasks, assist with teledental consultations, and even help with dental research.
Helping in hygiene
AI can help busy hygienists with periodontal voice charting, understanding salivary diagnostics, and providing smile mockups.
A younger dentist's perspective
This millennial dentist explains how (and why) he uses AI in his practice—and no, it doesn’t take away the human element of the patient experience. You'll be inspired!
Early cavity detection
Two STEM students created an app that can locate where cavities will form weeks before they actually do. Learn more about their project.
AI in the specialties
Here are a few examples of how AI and AR are being used in maxillofacial radiology, implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and general dentistry.
This article is by no means inclusive of all the ways AI can be used in dentistry. AI is not new; in fact, it’s been around since the 1950s. But it appears to be taking off in all the dental specialties, and its uses are growing. AI is a tool you can use to make your practice better.
