Time efficiency, occlusal morphology, and internal fit of anatomic contour crowns designed by dental software powered by generative adversarial network: A comparative study

To evaluate the time efficiency, occlusal morphology, and internal fit of dental crowns designed using generative adversarial network (GAN)-based dental software compared to conventional dental software. Thirty datasets of partial arch scans for prepared posterior teeth were analyzed. Each crown was designed on each abutment using GAN-based software (AI) and conventional dental software (non-AI). The AI and non-AI groups were compared in terms of time efficiency by measuring the elapsed work time. The difference in the occlusal morphology of the crowns before and after design optimization and the internal fit of the crown to the prepared abutment were also evaluated by superimposition for each software. Data were analyzed using independent t tests or Mann–Whitney test with statistical significance (α=.05). The working time was significantly less for the AI group than the non-AI group at T1, T5, and T6 (P≤.043). The working time with AI was significantly shorter at T1, T3, T5, and T6 for the intraoral scan (P≤.036). Only at T2 (P≤.001) did the cast scan show a significant difference between the two groups. The crowns in the AI group showed less deviation in occlusal morphology and significantly better internal fit to the abutment than those in the non-AI group (both P<.001). Crowns designed by AI software showed improved outcomes than that designed by non-AI software, in terms of time efficiency, difference in occlusal morphology, and internal fit. The GAN-based software showed better time efficiency and less deviation in occlusal morphology during the design process than the conventional software, suggesting a higher probability of optimized outcomes of crown design.