AI in Orthodontics: Enhancing Diagnosis Accuracy and Efficiency
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made remarkable strides across various industries, and dentistry is no exception. Integrating AI in dental practices is revolutionizing how to diagnose, treat, and manage patients. Orthodontics is a major specialty of dentistry, and AI is also making its way to it. Artificial intelligence not only brings changes in treatment planning but it also changes the whole face of diagnostic modalities. Three main domains of AI include all aspects of medical sciences. The first is the operational AI which improves healthcare delivery and second one is diagnostic AI, which assists in interpreting clinical images; and the last is predictive AI, which predicts future outcomes. Presently, AI’s main objectives in diagnostic imaging are to identify and segment structures and to categorize pathologies. The basic mechanism of its working is mechanism learning and supervised learning.
AI Impact on Modern Orthodontic Practices
In orthodontics, artificial intelligence plays an important role in improving diagnosis accuracy in a variety of essential areas. AI has had a particularly significant impact on dental diagnosis and treatment planning, automated detection of anatomical landmarks and cephalometric analysis, evaluation of growth and development, and miscellaneous applications. Artificial intelligence is also vital for determining the treatment outcomes and efficiency of certain procedures. In this article, we will focus on the role of AI’s revolutionary role in improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in orthodontics. The ABCD-System® developed by Dr. Baxmann simplifies and clarifies orthodontic case planning. To assist everyone, understand the concepts, LeanOrthodontics® employs a common comparison from everyday life. This method introduces ABCD® thinking in a way that is compatible with many learning styles. By connecting these concepts to common events, practitioners can more easily and confidently grasp and apply the ABCD-System®.
AI-based diagnostics web tools
The conventional diagnostic tools in orthodontic include dental radiographs like OPG and cone-beam computed tomography. these were necessary diagnostic tools to make a comprehensive diagnosis. However, AI introduced new multimodular diagnostic systems.
Diagnocat Ltd, USA, first developed this advanced web-based AI system which utilizes the convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detailed dental diagnostics. This technology enables precise tooth segmentation and counting, used for accurate diagnosis of oral conditions like periapical lesions and cavities, and comprehensive volumetric assessments of dental structures. The statistics show that AI has AI have 92.8% accuracy in dental diagnosis.
Introduction of Digital Cephalometric Analysis
The accurate diagnosis and treatment planning highly depended on cephalometric analysis. Manual cephalometric analysis can be time-consuming and operator-dependent. The new digital cephalometric analysis approach significantly reduces human errors and the operator depends on variability. The digital system produces accurate and repeatable landmarks and significantly reduces manual errors which is a major concern in manual analysis. The AI landmark identification has an accuracy of 88% and 92%. AI-driven cephalometric analysis matches the accuracy of manual landmark identification while incredibly enhancing workflow efficiency and reducing the analysis time by up to 80 times compared to traditional manual methods.
Assessment of Skeletal Maturity
Orthodontic diagnosis includes another significant factor of age analysis and skeletal maturity. It is directly associated with the growth and development of patients that have an impact on future treatment planning. CNN-based models have achieved a remarkable accuracy rate of more than 90% in assessing cervical vertebral maturation (CVM). This high level of accuracy shows that these models can accurately predict skeletal maturity using automated processing of lateral cephalometric radiographs. The ability of CNN-based systems to consistently measure bone age marks a huge step forward in orthodontics, where such precise and automated diagnostic tools can improve treatment planning and outcomes.
Extraction Decision-Making in Orthodontics
In orthodontic decisions one of the biggest challenges is to decide whether tooth extraction is suitable for tooth should retain to achieve an aligned smile. The decision is mainly based on the space analysis and cephalometric analysis. However, AI is transforming orthodontic treatment by giving data-driven insights and recommendations. Various AI tools have been introduced that support decision-making and offer accurate data related to different cases’ success rates with or without extraction. The Artificial intelligence-based orthodontic diagnosis can accurately classify the surgical and non-surgical orthodontic cases with an accuracy of upto89%. 3D Morphable Models (3DMMs) are important in improving diagnostic and treatment planning capabilities. These tools enable orthodontists to analyze facial structures in all three dimensions and offer an extensive evaluation of craniofacial morphology and symmetry.
After the long above debate, it’s evident that AI has remarkably transformed orthodontic diagnosis. The integration of AI into orthodontics has not only increased the accuracy and efficacy of diagnostic processes but also revolutionized the entire field. AI ensures early and accurate diagnosis of conditions that might be overlooked by human eyes and it allows faster patient turnaround with improved practice management.
Citation:
- Kazimierczak N, Kazimierczak W, Serafin Z, Nowicki P, Nożewski J, Janiszewska-Olszowska J. AI in Orthodontics: Revolutionizing Diagnostics and Treatment Planning-A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med. 2024 Jan 7;13(2):344. doi: 10.3390/jcm13020344. PMID: 38256478; PMCID
- Baxmann, M., & Gronau , K. (2024). Dr. Baxmann´s LEAN ORTHODONTICS® – The Ultimate Practice Book Series for excellent Orthodontics: Case Planning Volume 3. https://www.amazon.sg/Dr-Baxmann%C2%B4s-LEAN-ORTHODONTICS%C2%AE-Orthodontics/dp/3948361673