Artificial intelligence in dentistry: Exploring emerging applications and future prospects

OBJECTIVES: This narrative review aimed to explore the evolution and advancements of artificial intelligence technologies, highlighting their transformative impact on healthcare, education, and specific aspects within dentistry as a field. DATA AND SOURCES: Subtopics within artificial intelligence technologies in dentistry were identified and divided among four reviewers. Electronic searches were performed with search terms that included: artificial intelligence, technologies, healthcare, education, dentistry, restorative, prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, oral medicine, implant dentistry, dental education, dental patient care, dental practice management, and combinations of the keywords. STUDY: selection: A total of 120 articles were included for review that evaluated the use of artificial intelligence technologies within the healthcare and dental field. No formal evidence-based quality assessment was performed due to the narrative nature of this review. The conducted search was limited to the English language with no other further restrictions. RESULTS: The significance and applications of artificial intelligence technologies on the areas of dental education, dental patient care, and dental practice management were reviewed, along with the existing limitations and future directions of artificial intelligence in dentistry as whole. Current artificial intelligence technologies have shown promising efforts to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice in dental education, as well as improved diagnostic information gathering and clinical decision-making abilities in patient care throughout various dental specialties. The integration of artificial intelligence into patient administration aspects have enabled practices to develop more efficient management workflows. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations that exist, the integration of artificial intelligence into the dental profession comes with numerous benefits that will continue to evolve each day. While the challenges and ethical considerations, mainly concerns about data privacy, are areas that need to be further addressed, the future of artificial intelligence in dentistry looks promising, with ongoing research aimed at overcoming current limitations and expanding artificial intelligence technologies.