Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming implant dentistry, offering innovative solutions to improve precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. This article explores 10 key applications of AI in implant dentistry, highlighting how this technology is reshaping clinical practices. 
 
Having been involved in digital dentistry for over eight years, I have witnessed firsthand the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on the field. As an active user of AI technologies in implant dentistry, I understand that while AI holds great promise, it is still in its infancy and has a long way to go. Currently, AI excels at tasks such as pattern recognition and data analysis, but it is not yet capable of independent decision-making or intuitive reasoning. Despite these limitations, being engaged with AI is crucial for anyone in the dental profession. 

Bone and Nerve Segmentation 

Accurate segmentation of bone and nerve structures is crucial for successful implant placement. AI models have demonstrated exceptional accuracy in delineating these structures from CBCT scans, thereby enhancing safety and precision in surgeries. For instance, AI effectively identifies the mandibular canal, reducing the risk of nerve damage when placing dental implants in the lower jaw. Dental AI softwares have been proven to accurately depict the overlapping images of upper teeth roots and sinus cavities. This prevents perforation of the sinus and mishaps such as implants getting displaced into the sinus [1,2]. 

Bone Density Evaluation 

Evaluating bone density is essential for determining the suitability of implant sites. AI-driven tools provide detailed assessments of bone quality from radiographic images, ensuring better planning and decision-making. Studies have shown that AI models can assess bone density from panoramic radiographs with precision comparable to CBCT scans [3]. Determining the bone density with accuracy helps ensure dental implant stability and prosthetic success. It prevents intra-operative surprises, repeated change of implant positioning and allows implantologists to use implant surgical guides routinely. An in-vitro study used implant planning software that could self-learn to determine the best implant position. The accuracy of the AI-assisted implant template in this investigation demonstrated clinical reliability [4]. 

Predicting Implant Stability 

Predicting implant stability is crucial for ensuring long-term success. AI models analyze various patient-specific factors to forecast osteointegration and overall implant stability, guiding clinicians in making informed decisions. Research indicates that AI systems can predict osteointegration success, thereby improving treatment outcomes [5, 6]. The deep learning models of AI have used periapical and panoramic images to accurately predict implant failure, which may allow for early clinical intervention in cases of suspected dental implant failures [7]. AI models have been shown to help in the selection of implant drilling protocol, showing high accuracy in predicting acceptable protocols from CBCT images. These models improve implant placement accuracy and prediction of surgical results [8]. 

Recognizing Implant Types and Brands 

This is a vital application of dental AI that comes in handy when patients relocate and visit a new implantologist. Identifying the implant brand through visual analysis alone can be challenging. Dental AI has demonstrated high accuracy in identifying the implant system and brand from radiograph analysis. This can also help streamline clinical decision-making and inventory management in dental hospitals. High-end AI  models assist in identifying different implant brands, facilitating efficient treatment planning and execution [9,10]. 

Optimizing Implant Designs 

AI-driven optimization of implant designs enhances their performance and longevity. By integrating finite element analysis (FEA) with AI, researchers can optimize implant characteristics, such as length, diameter, and porosity. Studies have shown that AI-optimized designs significantly reduce stress at the implant-bone interface, enhancing stability and longevity. AI tools have also been used in dental implant design optimization for fatigue fracture resistance and minimizing micro strain in adjacent bones. Simple artificial neural network (ANN) has shown good accuracy after training on finite element analysis for various implant applications in dentistry [11,12] . 

Pre-Surgical Planning 

AI assists in pre-surgical planning by incorporating anatomical details and prosthetic arrangements to ensure precise implant placement. This integration enables accurate virtual surgery planning, improving the precision of procedures [13,14] . 

Creating Surgical Guides 

AI-generated surgical guides improve the accuracy of implant placement, ensuring precise alignment and reducing procedural errors. Custom surgical guides designed by AI are tailored to each patient, making surgeries more predictable and efficient. AI can aid in implant and prosthesis alignment and can also assist in the accurate fabrication and positioning of surgical guides for implant placements. This can be a game-changer in cementation of implant crowns, reduction of interproximal, and occlusal errors making dental implants a more reliable procedure in clinical practice. [15].  

Automated Robotics in Implantology 

Robotic systems powered by AI assist in performing implant surgeries with high precision, reducing human error and improving clinical outcomes. These systems enhance the accuracy and consistency of implant placement, leading to better results [16].  

Designing Prosthetics over Implants 

AI aids in designing prosthetic components for implants, ensuring optimal fit and function. These designs are often more precise than those made manually, providing improved patient outcomes [17].  

Real-Time Data Analysis During Procedures 

AI provides real-time data analysis during implant procedures, offering immediate insights and recommendations. This intraoperative support enhances surgical precision and outcomes, making procedures safer and more effective. Real-time dashboards provide practitioners with intuitive, visual representations of data, highlighting critical information for quick interpretation during the surgery [18].  

Takeaway 

The integration of AI in implant dentistry is revolutionizing the field, from diagnosis and pre-surgical planning to real-time support during procedures and post-operative care. These advancements not only improve the precision and efficiency of dental procedures but also ensure better patient outcomes and experiences. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in implant dentistry is expected to expand further, leading to even more remarkable advancements. 

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Disclaimers 

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and are not necessarily shared by NamNR Pro. 
 
 

References 

1. Ni FD, et al. (2024). Towards clinically applicable automated mandibular canal segmentation on CBCT. J Dent. 

2. Ji Y, et al. (2024). Construction and evaluation of an AI-based CBCT resolution optimization technique for extracted teeth. J Endod. 

3. Lee JH, et al. (2024). Deep learning to assess bone quality from panoramic radiographs. J Periodontal Implant Sci. 

4. Zhicong Chen, Yun Liu, Xin Xie, Feilong Deng,Influence of bone density on the accuracy of artificial intelligence–guided implant surgery: An in vitro study,The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, Volume 131, Issue 2, 2024, 

5. Papantonopoulos G, et al. (2017). Prediction of individual implant bone levels and the existence of implant “phenotypes”. Clin Oral Implants Res. 

6. Ha SR, et al. (2018). A pilot study using machine learning methods about factors influencing prognosis of dental implants. J Adv Prosthodont. 

7. Zhang C, Fan L, Zhang S, Zhao J, Gu Y. Deep learning based dental implant failure prediction from periapical and panoramic films. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2023 Feb 1;13(2):935-945. 

8. Afrashtehfar KI, Abuzayeda MA, Murray CA. Artificial Intelligence in Reconstructive Implant Dentistry—Current Perspectives. Prosthesis. 2024 Jul 15;6(4):767-9. 

10. Shujaat S, et al. (2024). Emergence of artificial intelligence for automating cone-beam computed tomography-derived maxillary sinus imaging tasks. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 

11. Hadj Saïd M, et al. (2020). Development of an artificial intelligence model to identify a dental implant from a radiograph. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 

12. Li H, et al. (2019). Uncertainty optimization of dental implant based on finite element method. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 

13. Roy S, et al. (2018). Design of patient-specific dental implant using FE analysis and computational intelligence techniques. Appl Soft Comput. 

14. Wang J, et al. (2024). Recent Advances in Digital Technology in Implant Dentistry. J Dent Res. 

15. Revilla-León M, et al. (2024). An overview of artificial intelligence-based applications for assisting digital data acquisition and implant planning procedures. J Esthet Restor Dent. 

16. Elgarba BM, et al. (2024). Artificial intelligence serving pre-surgical digital implant planning: A scoping review. J Dent. 

17. Currie GM, et al. (2024). Generative Artificial Intelligence Biases, Limitations and Risks in Nuclear Medicine. Semin Nucl Med. 

18. Kois JC, et al. (2023). Discrepancies in the occlusal devices designed by an experienced dental laboratory technician and by 2 artificial intelligence-based automatic programs. J Prosthet Dent. 

19. Pul U, Schwendicke F. (2024). Artificial intelligence for detecting periapical radiolucencies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 

Author Profile: 

As a dedicated and innovative dental professional, Dr Sajad Ahmadi  is an expert in oral implantology, digital dentistry, and advanced dental technologies for ver 10 years. His journey in dentistry is driven by a passion for improving patient care through cutting-edge solutions and comprehensive education. As the Founder and CEO of MolarMaker, Ihe spearheads the development of revolutionary dental products and integrates advanced digital workflows that empower dental professionals worldwide.