AI & big data: Disruptive innovation in dental research

Digital tools and applications have become an integral part of daily life. In the same way, computerized media play an essential role in the development of dentistry. Virtually based technologies offer new options, ranging from diagnostic imaging, treatment planning, outcome simulation, and intra-oral optical scanning to chairside protocols for single-visit therapy.

However, how many bits ‘n’ bytes are necessary to fulfill the expectations of the dentist and the patient, and to meet the clinical and technical requirements of today’s routine practice?

Restorative and reconstructive dentistry of the future will focus on innovations built on artificial intelligence (AI) as a core technology that will impact dental e-health data management, clinical and technical health applications, and services and operations. AI systems will enable personalised workflows by analysing all e-health data collected from an individual patient. In addition to dentist-specific data, genomic, proteomic, and metabolic information will be included, supporting optimized treatment strategies and risk prediction. Based on the power of AI, the triangular frame of “data / care / service” is complemented by technological advancements in social media, the Internet of Things, augmented and virtual reality, rapid prototyping and telehealth.