The Role of AI and Imaging Software in Modern Dental X-Rays

AI is here; everyone uses it in some capacity, even at their doctors’ and dentists’ offices. AI comes in handy for many purposes, like prepping a weekly grocery list, creating art or poetry, answering random questions, or entertaining us with silliness when we have nothing to do. Most of us admit that we have a love-hate relationship with AI. We enjoy using it, yet we majorly despise how people use it to cheat, scam, and deepfake people. We hate how difficult it can be to reach a human instead of a robot, and some people fear it will take over all our jobs one day. Yet, AI can do so much for us. It makes life convenient, and tells us we live in a modern world. The next time you visit your dentist, pay attention. There is a good chance your dental professional uses AI to assist them and better protect your smile. AI has revolutionized how patients receive dental care and how dentists practice. Read this blog to learn more about AI and how dentists use it to enhance your dental care.

How AI Works to Improve Dental X-rays

Dentists use AI behind the scenes, so do not expect them to open ChatGPT during your consultation. AI provides dentists with a second set of eyes, ensuring no oral concerns go unnoticed. But the benefits do not stop there. It helps ensure accurate, precise diagnosis, faster treatment, and more personalized treatment plans. Dentists take their care to the next level when AI is part of their operations.

Earlier diagnosis of cavities and other oral health problems
More accurate results
Tailored treatment plans

Sounds great, but is it accurate?

One of the biggest concerns surrounding AI is its accuracy. Anyone who has used it before knows that it sometimes gives comments, answers, and solutions that are downright outlandish. Fortunately, dental AI is far more advanced than the AI apps the average person uses. Studies show that dental AI systems offer an accuracy of 91.5% in cavity detection and up to 93% accuracy in periodontal bone loss. That is protection you can trust.

AI is the assistant every dentist needs. It gives them an extra set of eyes that never tire, blink, or miss a bit. When it is time to diagnose cavities, bone loss, cysts, and other issues, AI has it covered.

Some of the exciting ways your dentist uses AI:

Faster Diagnoses: Long ago, dentists would take X-rays of the patient’s mouth, ship the images off to the lab, and wait weeks on end for results as a human eye evaluated the images. Nowadays, the long wait is over since AI has streamlined the entire process, making it much faster and easier to read and diagnose images. It’s more accurate, too. Statistics say AI reduces diagnostic time by as much as 50%! Patients receive faster diagnoses and treatment that protects their smiles today and in the future.
Easier to Understand: Admit it: you can’t always decipher what your dentist says or what he is pointing out on an X-ray. With AI, confusion is gone, and information becomes easier to understand and visualize. Patients trust their dentists more when they understand their treatment plans and diagnoses. Furthermore, they generally ensure prompt and precise care when they have easy-to-read information and visuals that they can interpret. Patients trust dentists and staff more when they understand their results and the prescribed treatments.
Prevention: AI is exceptional at finding cavities and oral issues that a human eye might miss, but that is one of its many benefits. Did you know that AI benefits dentists in preventative care? AI determines appropriate treatments based on a patient’s dental history and imaging results. With AI a part of preventative care, patients can better protect their oral health and beautiful smiles.

We cannot deny the benefits AI brings to the dentistry field. So much more is yet to come. Who knows what the AI future holds for us?

AI Helps Dentists, Too

A dentist is only as good as their training, dedication, and tools available to assist them in practice. While AI is one of many tools dentists use, it is definitely one that smooths things for them behind the scenes, giving them even more confidence in accurate diagnosis and treatments.

Dentists rush from one patient to the next, hurriedly answering questions, evaluating records, and running tests. To say they are strapped for time is a gross understatement. One benefit of AI dentists most appreciate is the amount of time it saves them. Using AI allows dentists to relax a little bit more without sacrificing patient care. It cuts down on the care routine by as much as 75%!
A dentist who doesn’t feel rushed and overexerted is more relaxed and provides more thorough and satisfactory patient care.

Weston dentist Dr. Thanos uses AI and appreciates its capabilities. The dentist said, “Integrating AI into our practice has changed the game. The level of detail I now have in X-ray analysis is something I wish we had 20 years ago. It helps us better explain issues to patients and provide them with all-around better care.”

Can We Trust AI?

No technology is perfect or delivers 100% accurate results. It needs a human touch and intervention for complete accuracy. Dentists combine their education and expertise with AI to create more precise results. Yes, AI is a work in progress, but it has already benefited countless people looking to protect their smiles.

The Bottom Line

AI is here to stay; Might as well give it a chance, especially since you know how much it benefits dentists. As AI continues improving how dentists use X-rays, expect even more integration into your dental care. Our robot counterparts have made life easier and less chaotic, but more importantly, improved the way dentists implement care.