AI is revolutionising the dental industry as DEXIS highlights key trends shaping the future of dental care in 2024, from AI imaging analysis to integrated workflows. While technology drives efficiencies, human expertise remains central to patient care.
The Future of Dentistry: How AI is Transforming Dental Practices in 2024
Quakertown, Pa. – Artificial intelligence (AI) has made notable inroads into various sectors, and dentistry is no exception. By evaluating developments in the first quarter of 2024, dental imaging technology leader DEXIS has highlighted four major AI trends poised to transform dental care.
Wouter Mollemans, Head of Software Development at DEXIS, emphasises the role of AI as a complement to dental professionals’ expertise and patient relationships. “Technology should serve practitioners, enhancing their capabilities and connections with patients,” Mollemans says. He anticipates that AI will increasingly permeate all facets of dental care, from diagnostics and treatment planning to education and research, with specialised advancements across dental disciplines—whether implants, endodontics, or orthodontics.
Here are the four AI trends identified by DEXIS that are already making an impact:
1. AI Imaging Analysis
AI algorithms are being utilised to analyse dental radiographs, CT scans, digital impressions, and intraoral photos. These capabilities assist dentists in more efficient diagnoses, treatment planning, and oral health monitoring. The DEXIS ecosystem’s imaging hub, DTX Studio™ Clinic, exemplifies this integration, becoming the first on-premise dental imaging system with AI-assisted tools capable of identifying common dental issues from 2D radiographs. These include cavities, tartar buildup, periapical radiolucency, and root canal filling deficiencies. The system also automatically analyses any loaded Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan, facilitating diagnostic setup and mandibular nerve tracing.
2. Predictive Analytics
AI’s ability to process “big data” offers significant potential for dentistry. AI-powered software can sift through patient case histories to enhance workflow efficiency, identify missed cavities, and perform automated image quality checks. In the near future, dental AI might even predict a patient’s likelihood of developing conditions such as gum disease, enabling earlier intervention and treatment.
3. Integrated AI Workflows
Early-adopting dental practices are incorporating AI-driven functionalities into their hardware, such as digital imaging equipment, to streamline routine tasks and devote more time to complex diagnostic and treatment planning. DTX Studio Clinic, for instance, employs SmartFusion™ technology to merge CBCT scans with intraoral scan data, generating a comprehensive 3D view of the anatomy. This enhanced visibility supports more informed diagnoses and treatment decisions.
4. Ongoing AI Investment
DEXIS continues to invest substantially in dental-specific AI technologies, with the ultimate aim of benefiting patients. Mollemans emphasises that the goal is to improve patient outcomes, streamline the entirety of diagnostic and treatment processes, and elevate the predictability and delivery of dental care. “Technology should never exist for its own sake—it must benefit patients and practitioners alike,” he asserts.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to evolve, its integration into dentistry appears poised to make significant advances in the efficiency and efficacy of dental care. With DEXIS taking the lead in developing and implementing these technologies, dental professionals and patients alike may witness a rapid transformation in how dental care is administered and experienced.
Despite these technological advancements, however, Mollemans stresses that human expertise remains irreplaceable. The relationship between dental practitioners and their patients will always be at the heart of dental care, with AI serving as a powerful tool to support and enhance these interactions.
About DEXIS
For over 70 years, DEXIS has been a global leader in digital radiography. The brand has successfully amalgamated trusted names in 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, and diagnostic software to provide a comprehensive digital diagnostic solution. Their commitment to innovative technology aims to optimise patient diagnosis, streamline workflows, and deliver better treatment outcomes.
As dentistry continues to embrace AI, the industry’s landscape is set to change, promising a future where technology and human expertise coalesce to offer superior dental care.
