Overview of AI applications in dentistry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly over the past decade and has become prevalent in many fields, yielding results that were previously unimaginable. The world of dentistry is no exception. In fact, more and more startups have started working on machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence to make the work of dentists easier. In this article, we will review several apps, tools, startups, and technologies in the dental AI world that help dentists provide optimal patient care as well as encourage patients to improve their dental health autonomously.

Pearlii

Pearlii is the perfect example of an AI dental app. Its goal is to improve oral health for everyone. In this regard, Pearlii offers a free dental checkup made possible by a simple smartphone camera. This AI-powered app uses machine learning to check for dental health issues, such as gingivitis or cavities. It then provides users with personalized results and suggestions for appropriate dental treatments in order to improve overall dental hygiene and prevent existing conditions from worsening. The app is now available for Android and will soon be released for iOS devices.

VideaHealth

VideaHealth is an AI-app based on machine learning technologies to introduce a standard of care for dental practices and is quite popular among dentists in the US. It offers image recognition services to help professionals manage their workflow and workload. The most attractive benefit is the time efficiency that is achieved by using the app on a daily basis.

Denti.AI

Denti.AI is based on the same concept and is proven to detect 30% more potential pathologies than normal observation. The performance is achieved thanks to the use of deep neural networks trained on thousands of dental X-ray images. In just 4 seconds, the app detects likely pathologies, creates a diagram, and highlights the findings on the image. The findings are then processed and the dentist receives a detailed presentation report that can be exported. Therefore, Denti.ai claims to help practitioners improve the quality of their diagnoses, save time and increase profitability.

DentalMonitoring

DentalMonitoring claims to be the key to the orthodontist’s virtual practice, providing them with several Ai-powered virtual solutions that help professionals grow their practice and maximize the efficiency of their orthodontic treatments. Their services revolve around patient recruitment, patient conversion, and dental monitoring. Therefore, professionals will be able to manage their patients remotely through these platforms using AI-powered and automated clinical analytics, In-App embedded voice and video calls, and a 2-way messaging platform and scheduling system when an appointment is needed. The services are available on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and Ipad.

TeleDentists

TeleDentists is a platform that provides remote dental services 24/7/365. It addresses the problem of the dentist shortage by developing a solution where dental emergencies and pain do not have to wait to be treated. This solution is based on AI: by using a chatbot that assesses symptoms, patients are directed to the required healthcare professionals in order to provide them with accurate patient care. Thus, this platform facilitates the connection between patients and dentists and promotes access to care.

Toothscan

Toothscan is a startup that combines IoT and AI by providing customers with a device the size of a toothbrush and a connected app that allows dentists to analyze their customers' situations and identify the need for an appointment or treatment.

Beam Dental

Beam Dental is also leveraging the IoT by developing a smart toothbrush and connecting it to dental insurance plans. The Bean Brush now suggests using the toothbrush along with paste, floss, and refill heads provided by the company. These are then synced with an app so the company can assess how consistently people have kept their teeth healthy and therefore benefit from cost savings on their monthly premiums.

Philips Sonicare & Kolibree

Philips Sonicare and Kolibree smart electric toothbrushes are similar to Beam Dental but rely more on real-time feedback from the toothbrush through sensors to allow users to find the right amount of pressure when brushing and even be guided to brush their teeth properly by using the linked app.

Smart Mouth Guard

Smart Mouth Guard is another IoT-linked app that prevents patients from grinding their teeth through sensors that allow the dentist to know where the most affected areas of the teeth are. The data then allows the dentist to create effective treatment and remediation plans.

Smart Teeth

Smart Teeth uses the implantation of smart chips in each denture to detect food intake, the amount of acidic fluid consumed, blood alcohol levels, and saliva pH, and develop patterns and correlations by using the data collected. This could drive advances in preventive dentistry and personalized medicine.

The IoT Diet Wearable

The IoT Diet Wearable was developed by Tufts University scientists. It is a wearable sensor that extends the preventive measures that such devices can provide. It can be attached to a tooth and tracks the user's diet by analyzing chemical changes in the mouth. This device could be very helpful in preventing dental caries from becoming severe.

Smart Dental Implant

Smart Dental Implant is a cyber-physical dental implant system that is believed to improve patient outcomes, quality of life, and overall health.

Neocis

Startup Neocis has developed the Yomi robot to assist with dental implant surgeries. Its functions revolve around keeping track of patients, managing treatments, and helping dentists be more accurate when treating implants. As robotics continues to make its way into dentistry, robots are expected to perform complete procedures on their own to avoid medical errors in the long run.

Carbon

Carbon has 3D Printed Dental Implants, which reduces costs and speeds up treatment. To do this, they fuse light and oxygen to print the design of the implant from a pool of resin.

Wrapping up

As we have seen with these new innovative services and tools, Artificial Intelligence is slowly integrating into the world of dentistry and will continue to do so over the next decades. Indeed, AI is not just a fad: today’s technologies deliver real results and unlock new opportunities to improve patient care.

Did we miss any AI applications in the dentistry sector? Let us know!