{"id":7571,"date":"2022-05-18T09:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T15:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/?p=7571"},"modified":"2024-08-16T14:00:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T21:00:50","slug":"5-real-opportunities-for-ai-enabled-software-in-your-dental-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/5-real-opportunities-for-ai-enabled-software-in-your-dental-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Real Opportunities for AI-Enabled Software in Your Dental Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Technology creates many ways for us to differentiate our brands and offer patients the best experience in healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) won\u2019t replace our skills in the operatory, but it\u2019s guaranteed to increase our effectiveness. AI-assisted dentistry opens another door we didn\u2019t have a few years ago, and it can help us diagnose disease, move teeth, manage periodontitis, and much more.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Our profession primarily uses two types of AI: artificial neural networks (ANNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">ANNs<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> are patterned after neural networks in the brain and can recognize patterns within data sets.\u00a0 In dentistry, they can perform helpful actions such as determining the precise length and anatomy of teeth. Facial recognition, weather prediction, and speech-to-text processing systems use this technology, too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">CNNs<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> work by analyzing visual images, making them perfect for dental radiology. For example, they can quickly and precisely locate tooth caries in X-rays and other scans.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you want to learn more about how you can use AI for better care, here\u2019s a brief look at where our profession\u2019s headed. Consider five ways to implement AI-enabled software in your practice with today\u2019s technology, and just imagine what\u2019s coming next.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">#5: AI in Radiology<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Experienced clinicians identify dental caries by visual inspection, tactile exam, and years of experience. But a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hellopearl.com\/insights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> recent study by Pearl<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> showed dentists and CNNs the same 10,000 radiographic images and found that dentists only agreed on the presence of decay in 4.2% of cases. On the other hand, the CNN technology proved far more accurate at identifying the existence of dental caries.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The study reminds us that radiographic scans leave room for interpretation, and that\u2019s where AI shines. That doesn&#8217;t mean we should abandon our clinical exams, but a CNN algorithm could help us confirm our findings. We increase our effectiveness when we combine CAD\/CAM technology with our clinical skills, and AI can work the same way.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Another study by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.overjet.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overjet<\/a> showed a 21% increase in case acceptance when patients had the opportunity to view their X-ray images with AI annotations, showing yet another way AI can improve patient outcomes and patient-provider relationships.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">CNNs also show potential for detecting periodontally compromised teeth by capturing patterns from PCT images and performing edge detection. This technology can be valuable in tracking the progression of the disease or catching early bone loss. We manage many frustrating perio cases, and this detailed analysis could help us intervene earlier with higher accuracy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Brandon Halcott, co-founder of Seva Dental Team shared his learnings on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HFDXGAkN3wg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AI<\/a> adoption when he joined as a guest on the Dental Economist Show. View the full episode <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HFDXGAkN3wg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">#4: AI in Oral Pathology<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Patients face a better prognosis with the early diagnosis of oral lesions. AI-powered software boosts our capabilities by detecting tumoural tissues on radiographs and live tissue samples. Today\u2019s CNNs can<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28655055\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> diagnose cancer lesions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> with 80% &#8211; 83% accuracy, and that range almost perfectly rivals that of the sampled specialists, who achieved around 83%.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30109156\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> another study,<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> a CNN algorithm competed against specialists in diagnosing two tumors. The results in accuracy were a close match: The algorithm&#8217;s accuracy was 81.8% and 83.3%, while the specialists were 81.1% and 83.2%.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">But these automated algorithms excel by increasing the speed of diagnosis. The specialists took 23 minutes to detect the average tumor, but the CNN algorithm knocked it out in 38 seconds. AI programs could boost speed and efficiency in dental practices with consistent results.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Imagine the confidence and efficiency we could gain in daily practice as these applications evolve.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Visible oral lesions may appear after cellular changes have already occurred in deeper layers, and they often go undetected before it&#8217;s too late. In fact, only<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/oral-and-oropharyngeal-cancer\/statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> 28% of oral cancer cases are detected in early stages. <\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">Early detection of oral cancer delivers immeasurable savings in human suffering and medical expenses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We risk missing critical tissue changes when we perform quick exams that rely on our eyes or lengthy reviews of X-rays. But the detection speed of CNNs could dramatically enhance our ability for more consistent findings. While this technology still needs refinement, there&#8217;s massive potential for AI to help us detect oral cancer and save lives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">#3: Natural Language Processing in Dentistry<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Another promising aspect of AI is natural language processing (NLP). This technology uses computer programs to recognize a human language, process it, and use that information to perform tasks. In dentistry, NLP voice-activated systems can serve as add-ons to dental imaging software.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consider how Amazon&#8217;s Alexa works. Instead of manually inputting data into the imaging system, clinicians can direct everything with their voice. That capability means we can capture images, view them, and compare them completely hands-free. The patient spends less time in the chair with this streamlined imaging process.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">NLP technology offers a more sanitary way to operate imaging systems since clinicians don&#8217;t have to touch keyboards and other hardware components. It&#8217;s another way AI technology can enhance patient experiences, improve operational efficiency, and facilitate seamless clinical care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">#2: AI-Assisted Orthodontics<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Orthodontists aren&#8217;t excluded from the AI movement, and software can help optimize treatment outcomes. In the most common application, ANNs offer the perfect technology for determining if a tooth extraction is necessary by analyzing space with various alignment scenarios. ANNs can also compute the best routes for teeth to reach optimal destinations. In other words, AI helps us move teeth into the right place with less trial and error. More precise measurements and analytics lead to better final results and higher patient satisfaction.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">AI-powered computer vision can also diagnose bone pathologies and analyze bone density to help determine projected tooth movement. This technology also can diagnose osteoarthritis in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-021-89742-y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">TMJs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> by deciphering condylar changes. Conventional TMJ imaging cases can be challenging to analyze, but AI brings more insights to clinicians for more effective interventions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">#1: AI in Endodontics<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">CNNs and ANNs can help endodontists get to the &#8216;root&#8217; of the issue. CBCT imaging helps reveal hidden lesions and bone morphology that are not detected on flat images, and I can\u2019t imagine practicing without it now. But AI software elevates those capabilities and can analyze a radiographic image to determine:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Structure and anatomy<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tissue viability<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Precise measurements<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Predictability of treatment success<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Deep learning algorithms can help us discover fissures or lesions around the tooth, and they can also detect and classify variations from normal anatomy. We\u2019ve used apex locators to estimate root length for years, but ANNs can precisely locate the apical foramen for optimal treatment outcomes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Opportunities for AI Dentistry and Cloud-Based Software Management<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">AI-powered technology can enhance dentistry more than we can imagine, and the evolution has just begun. From analyzing radiology images to diagnosing cancer in live tissue samples, AI continues to push the envelope towards more efficient, thorough care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">AI solutions will feed more data into our practice management software (PMS) and integrate with the clinical record. As we prepare to implement AI into practice, consider robust cloud-based software and imaging solutions equipped to handle change, improve efficiency, and protect data.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We find comprehensive cloud-based dental software at Planet DDS that serves as the central hub for first-class service and care. Enterprises can store complex AI-supported imaging and related files in a secure off-site location that integrates with the clinical record. If you&#8217;re ready to position your business for growth, expansion, and the future, reach out to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/book-a-demo\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> speak with an expert today<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Technology creates many ways for us to differentiate our brands and offer patients the best experience in healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) won\u2019t replace our skills in the operatory, but it\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1416],"tags":[981,559,982,561,30,983,984,66,13,985,986,785,17,987,181,658,988,989,990,674,545,991,992,89,147,993,994,293,995,152,996],"class_list":["post-7571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth","tag-advancement","tag-ai","tag-artificial","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-cloud","tag-conventional","tag-convolutional","tag-dental","tag-dentistry","tag-endodontics","tag-evolution","tag-images","tag-imaging","tag-intelligence","tag-management","tag-network","tag-networks","tag-neural","tag-nlp","tag-oral","tag-orthodontics","tag-pathology","tag-power","tag-practice","tag-practice-management","tag-radiology","tag-science","tag-solutions","tag-tactile","tag-technology","tag-visual"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7571"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7571\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}