Artificial Intelligence for Digital Dentistry

Abstract

Digital dentistry is evolving rapidly with the rapid innovation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the advancement of an AI-based digital platform that integrates 3D jaw–teeth–face data from various imaging devices such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT), oral scanner, face scanner, 3D tracking devices, and others. Digital dentistry equipped with the AI-based integrated platform enables dentists to provide accurate diagnoses and treatment while saving time and cost, significantly improving digital workflow. Additionally, digital dentistry also improves patient satisfaction by increasing the patient’s comfort and decreasing the chance of revisiting the dental clinic thanks to the enhanced accuracy level of dental treatment on the teeth, gingiva and occlusion. In digital dentistry, the 3D digital composite model obtained from image data of CBCT, and oral and facial scan will be an essential tool for almost all processes, including virtual treatment planning and on-screen simulation of surgical or dental treatment. Noting that the dental regions of 3D CT data do not have the level of resolution to be used directly for treatment, the jaw–tooth composite model, which accurately fuses the individual tooth geometry obtained from the dental impression model or oral scan with the jaw bone obtained from CT, is important for planning and performing dental treatment and predicting treatment outcome.