ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-ASSISTED EARLY DETECTION OF OCCLUSAL AND PERIODONTAL CHANGES FOR PERSONALIZED PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE

Abstract

Disorders of occlusion and periodontal diseases are among the most prevalent oral health disorders and remain one of the primary reasons for functional impairments, tooth loss, and low quality of life. In order to prevent further development of such disorders and to ensure good oral health status in the future, it is vital to identify pathological changes at an early stage. With the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), there are new opportunities for enhancing diagnostic precision, monitoring, and individual preventive treatment in dentistry. This review paper is aimed at discussing the biological association between modification of occlusion and periodontal diseases, as well as current state of applying AI technologies in the early diagnosis and management of periodontal diseases. Machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and predictive analytics in the analysis of radiographic images, intraoral scans, clinical histories, biomarker profiles, and other functional data are emphasized in the current review paper. It is possible to highlight the ability of AI assisted systems to diagnose teeth wear, monitor orthodontic movement, assess periodontal bone loss, evaluate TMD, and predict the course of the disease. Moreover, multimodal AI approaches, incorporating clinical, imaging, behavioral, and biological information, contribute to the transition to precision dentistry and tailored preventive approaches. Although considerable achievements have been made, there are still some issues affecting the application of the models clinically, namely, low interpretability, validation of the model and quality of the data, privacy concerns, and ethics of governance. Innovations like digital twins, federated learning, and intelligent decision support systems are likely to improve predictive power and personalized approach of providers. In summary, AI can bring about a revolution in preventive dental care, allowing for intervention at an early stage and management of risks.