Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deployed in Dentistry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming dentistry by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient care. AI-powered tools, such as machine learning algorithms, analyze dental images to detect cavities, periodontal diseases, and oral cancers earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. AI also assists in designing personalized treatment plans, including orthodontic aligners and implants, improving outcomes and reducing treatment times. Additionally, AI-driven virtual assistants help manage patient records, schedule appointments, and streamline administrative tasks. By integrating AI, dentistry is becoming more efficient, precise, and patient-centric, leading to better overall dental health outcomes.

Different AI Platforms Rolled Out

Several major players (Pearl, Overjet, Paterson Dental, Henry Schein Dental, etc..) have competing platforms. Practitioners must choose carefully to obtain the best package for their particular practice. Will the platforms be compatible? Will they conflict with insurer's platforms?

How reliable are the results?

AI's major role in dentistry at this time is enhanced image review, calling attention to caries and other pathologies more efficiently and accurately than human diagnosticians. But will this lead to over-treatment and expanded treatment plans that will cause patients to distrust their dentists, or increase their trust in the computer program?

Insurance Companies Respond

Insurers will not lie dormant and just accept expanded treatment plans thanks to AI diagnosing more pathology. Insurers are deploying their own AI programs to closely track practice profiles, examine claims for overuse, or fraud, compare submitted radiographs with those of similar claims, and review (audit) work from past claims to verify completion and if the work is up to clinical standards. Will this lead to many more denials? Time will tell, the jury is out.

Download or CE course for all the details: Artifical Intelligence (AI) in Dentistry CE Course