EVOLUTION OF AI
As we all know, this is AI century today in this era, we cannot imagine our life without AI. From making a CV to applying for jobs, everything is AI-driven. Today in every field there is use of AI as it is simplifying complex tasks in many fields, and being beneficial for the modern world as it has simplified complex tasks and also reduces human work, and labor cost of many big and small companies. However as after revolution of AI people jobs are replaced by as customer complaint services are now regulated by automated chat boxes with faster response than before replacing human efforts. Do AI can also replace dentist in future?
Let’s understand the role of AI and effects of AI in the dentistry
AI IN DENTISTRY
Dentistry has always been growing, along with modern world has also adopted AI. However, dentistry is 90 % skill-based, and no AI can be considered to replace a dentist for doing clinical procedures, because a dentist not only treats patients, it also heals patients. The patient won’t agree to let any dentist touch their teeth until they feel connected and, most importantly, until they feel they are in safe and secure hands. It is hard for patients to trust any AI-driven machine for delicate procedures. Dentist often trust their instruments and tools; they feel confident when they get the right instrument in most of situations, but patients always rely their trust on the dentist, not the tools. However still there are still many ways AI is utilised in dentistry. Let’s discuss some of the major roles of AI in Dentistry
AI FOR MANAGEMENT TASKS
Many practices have AI software for their appointments schedule, reminders, financial records, patient records and for all these tasks, practice owner have to hire managers, finical advisors, HRs and other management related employees and now all these works are done automatically by AI without any salaries provided, which has decrease the financial burden of practices, and work is being done in faster rates.
Keeping patients’ records up to date and safe is a very crucial but challenging task to manage. Keeping paper files requires lots of space and time; however, this is replaced by digital records management apps in many clinics and hospitals all over the world, which only requires patient id to enter and all the data of patient is in front of you to manage within seconds.
ROLE OF AI IN DIAGNOSIS:
Management tasks are only a small portion of dentistry, AI is also being utilized for diagnostic purposes, many companies are now focusing to develop better AI bots which can help in better and faster diagnosis of oral pathologies. AI diagnostic tools help dentist detect caries at their very early stages that can be re mineralized and save patients from complex treatments. AI Apps are also developed for diagnostic purposes of different oral pathologies like, white lesions, Oral submucous fibrosis, oral cancerous, and many more, as this has reduced dentist’s burden and made it easy to diagnose effectively and with confidence. However, one cannot rely only on AI for such sensitive tasks as AI can hallucinate, Dentist’s expertise and knowledge is always required to confirm the outcome. Dentist and AI can work together for better future dentistry, with knowledge and expertise of dentist and technical smartness of AI we can diagnose disease in their very early stages which can be beneficial for both, health of patient can improve and it also give relief to dentist.
ROLE OF AI IN TELEDENTISTRY:
Tele Dentistry is now available because of the evolution of AI. Due to modern busy life, people are so busy and often neglect the importance of good oral health. With newer AI chat boxes/ apps designed for oral health are being available for patient to have they consultation and scheduling of appointments if needed at the comfort of their homes, many diseases like caries, gingivitis, periodontists can be diagnosed through AI Apps and can save patients time for booking consultations and appointment and they can now directly schedule appointment for treatment with their dentist, this can save time for both patients and dentist.
ROLE OF AI IN RESEARCH:
Research has been a very haunting task; the collection, filtration, and arrangement of all required data requires lots of time and efforts. AI has been very helpful, which has reduced human efforts of such tasks, and humans can now easily focus on main tasks such as analysis of data and drafting conclusions and writing research articles which contributes to improvement in relevant fields.
ROLE OF AI IN CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
CAD-CAM has been very useful since its development, long time taking procedures such as delivering of fixed prosthesis which requires long working hours and multiple visits are now being delivered to patients within hours in single visit just with the help of CAD-CAM technology, which scans the oral cavity of patient, takes impression and mining of prosthesis in done by software, delivery and fixing of prosthesis is done in patient’s mouth in just few hours. Although prosthesis is manufactured by CAD-CAM, treatment planning is the most important part of any treatment which is done by dentist according specific patient’s needs.
Clear Aligners used for correcting and positioning the misaligned teeth also uses AI software which can predict the outcome of procedures before treatment, and provides trays to patients that can be worn and changed accordingly to prescription by the dentist, often decreases the number of appointments. Smile being a very crucial part of beauty, and often patients are sensitive towards their smile, this technology gives patients a better understanding of the outcome and increases the compliance of patients and lessens the headache of the dentist too.
CONCLUSION:
AI can never replace humans in their expertise, at least not in the dental field. Dentist and AI can work together for the betterment of patients but dentist cannot solely run by AI. Dentist always as remains in the main lead.
But a dentist with AI can always replace a non-AI dentist.
Not in dentistry, but in any field of work, employers who are up to date with modern sciences and technologies are preferred, and as it is with Dentistry, AI has made the world faster, and dentists also need to be in alignment with the speed of modern technologies and AI to stand out and fascinate in their fields.
Written by:
Dr Vineeta | BDS | Larkana Pakistan
