Artificial intelligence promises to change much of the world around us, whether it’s how we enjoy entertainment or how we navigate to a destination. One of the industries where AI is taking a big role is dentistry. What are some of the newest innovative AI advancements for dentistry?
Detecting Decay and Periodontal Disease
While dentists are trained in how to detect signs of periodontal disease and decay, sometimes borderline cases can be challenging to identify and treat. AI can help with detecting decay using semantic segmentation and object detection. Algorithms that are trained at recognizing caries, for example, can be applied to new data to identify cavities early in decay so that treatment can preserve the health of the tooth as much as possible. Dentists can disagree on whether or not decay is present and what should be done. Having AI to supplant your opinion can help you in making decisions in borderline cases.
Dentists use probing to determine the severity of periodontal disease. While that provides you with baseline measurements that you can use to make decisions, AI advancements for dentistry can provide you with even more guidance. Automated depth probing and detection tools can identify patterns to make accurate diagnoses.
Detecting Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can be very serious if it is not caught early in the disease progression. While the survival rate is over 80% when caught in the early stages, less than 30% of cases are caught early. Dentists are key in identifying oral cancer, and AI advancements for dentistry will make it even easier. The technology is not on the market yet, but there is currently a project compiling dental data to build models for accurate early-stage oral cancer detection. The current success rate is 87%, and as the model is further honed dentists will gain access to this promising technology.
Orthodontic Treatment Planning
Machine learning through AI is a fantastic tool to diagnose and treat problems with teeth, whether it is detecting decay or finding signs of oral cancer. Another way that AI advancements for dentistry are being used is in treatment planning for orthodontics. Orthodontics require a great deal of planning and anticipating outcomes, and AI can help make accurate, data-based predictions for things like the need for extraction of unerupted teeth or the best path for teeth to move in. This can streamline the treatment planning process for orthodontists and confirm your current plan or help give you alternative ideas that might be as successful. AI is not here to replace dentists. Instead, it’s here to help increase your accuracy and provide even better service.
APEX Reimbursement Specialists Is Here to Help Your Practice Grow
Whether you’re preparing for the recredentialing process or looking to explore automating your dental practice, APEX Reimbursement Specialists is here to help. Contact our team today by calling (410) 710-6005. We look forward to working with you to make your practice a more profitable place.