It’s no secret that oral surgeons are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI). AI is helping to make both clinical work and the patient experience better in a number of ways, including through diagnosis, image analysis, treatment planning, and more.
In fact, more than two-thirds of dental practitioners — 77% — say that after using AI in their practice, they have seen positive results. But it’s not just the professionals who are noticing the benefits. A recent report showed that 53% of patients are open to using AI in dentistry, with the majority of those being especially open to it if it helps catch problems early or reduces the need for invasive treatments in the future.
Even though there is a lot of excitement about using AI in dental practices, there are important things to consider. Many dental and oral surgery offices want to go paperless, for example, which signals an investment in the environment. But, AI’s impact on the environment is not always positive. AI has a big carbon footprint and has a significant negative impact on water resources.
Plus, patients still want human dentists! Many patients have said their main worry about AI in dentistry is that they will miss out on the human presence.
By keeping these factors in mind, dental professionals can adopt AI in ways that both transform their practice and benefit their patients.
#1: A Crystal Ball for Treatment Planning
When it comes to diagnosing and planning treatments, dental AI is truly making a huge difference at OMS practices. Using powerful computer programs to look at medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, it can spot issues such as cysts, tumors, fractures, and even impacted teeth much faster and more accurately than traditional methods. For example, dental AI can help find conditions like osteonecrosis, TMJ disorders, or misaligned teeth early on, giving doctors a head start in treating them.
Dental AI also has the ability to predict how treatments will turn out. For example, using AI tools, oral surgeons are able to simulate potential outcomes before they start treatment with a patient. This can be hugely supportive in determining the best course of action. They can predict how tissues will heal or how facial features might change after surgery, making treatment plans more effective and customized for each patient.
Dental AI also offers valuable support to clinicians during evaluations. Some AI-powered tools provide real-time suggestions using vast amounts of data and evidence-based guidelines. For instance, an AI platform might offer advice on what to look for during a clinical exam, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
#2: Dental AI in Robotic Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
One of the exciting iterations of dental AI is robotic surgery. This is a tool that many oral surgeons are keen to invest in, since these advanced systems can help surgeons perform very precise and less invasive surgeries. AI-powered robotic tools provide highly accurate and quick surgery on several procedures, such as:
- Making exact cuts in bones
- Placing dental implants
- Reconstructing jaw bones
This means surgeries can not only be quicker, but they are often safer, with better outcomes for patients. AI technology can also provide real-time, 3D images of a patient’s body. These detailed visuals help surgeons see exactly what they are working on, making it easier to perform complicated operations.
#3: Improving Postoperative Care
One way dental AI helps is by using special tools to monitor patients once they leave the clinic. This can be especially important in oral surgery, where urgent complications can arise more easily. These tools can predict if there might be issues like infections or slow healing. For example, wearable devices, photos, or imaging data from the patient can be analyzed by AI to find any signs of trouble, like inflammation or other complications. This means that doctors can take action before these problems get worse.
Another transformative use of dental AI is in telemedicine and virtual care. After a procedure, patients can have virtual check-ups with their doctors without needing to go back to the clinic. AI-driven tools make these follow-up visits possible by analyzing photos or videos sent by the patient. This helps doctors see how well the healing process is going and detect any early signs of complications.
#4: Training the OMS Generation
One of the most exciting use-cases is the development of dental AI to create advanced simulators for training (like this one at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine). These AI-driven simulators are not just video games: they are powerful tools that allow dental students and surgeons to practice difficult surgeries in a virtual environment before they work on real patients.
Imagine being able to perform a tough surgery on a computer, where you can make mistakes and learn without any risk to a patient. That’s exactly what these virtual surgery tools hope to offer.
In OMS, the procedures can be incredibly complicated since the surgeon is dealing with the jaw and face. Traditional training methods often involve watching experienced surgeons and practicing on models, but this can’t fully prepare someone for the real thing. With AI-driven simulators, students and surgeons can experience realistic scenarios that closely mimic actual surgeries.
Not only do these simulators help in training, but they also allow for better preparation before a surgery. Surgeons can use virtual tools to plan out every step of the operation, anticipating any challenges they might face. This helps reduce the risk of complications and improves the chances of a successful outcome. As dental AI continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the training and preparation of future oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
The Future of Dental AI and OMS
Clearly, AI is transforming OMS in some incredible ways. As OMS practices continue to incorporate AI into their practice operations — and oral surgery schools incorporate them as well — some key ethical decisions will have to be made about AI’s environmental impact. Whatever happens, it’s key for OMS practices to remember the importance of the human presence.
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