AI and Face-Driven Orthodontics: A Scoping Review of Digital Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Abstract

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), technological progress is changing established workflows and enabling some basic routines to be updated. In dentistry, the patient’s face is a crucial part of treatment planning, although it has always been difficult to grasp in an analytical way. This review highlights the current digital advances that, thanks to AI tools, allow us to implement facial features beyond symmetry and proportionality and incorporate facial analysis into diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics. A Scopus literature search was conducted to identify the topics with the greatest research potential within digital orthodontics over the last five years. The most researched and cited topic was artificial intelligence and its applications in orthodontics. Apart from automated 2D or 3D cephalometric analysis, AI finds its application in facial analysis, decision-making algorithms as well as in the evaluation of treatment progress and retention. Together with AI, other digital advances are shaping the face of today’s orthodontics. Without any doubts, the era of “old” orthodontics is at its end, and modern, face-driven orthodontics is on the way to becoming a reality in modern orthodontic practices.

Digital Model in Orthodontics: Is It Really Necessary for Every Treatment Procedure? A Scoping Review

“…We have entered the era of face-driven orthodontics, and this was at first facilitated by the use of digital cameras. However, there are limitations to the two-dimensional "reality" [75].…”

“…The development of AI can help orthodontics eliminate difficulties associated with the integration of 3D data. Automated identification of landmarks for 3D cephalometric analysis and automated segmentation of teeth and anatomic structures by AI can be very helpful in diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcome prediction, especially for the new clinician who lacks experience but also for the experienced one, in testing several treatment possibilities [75].…”

Reliability and Agreement of Free Web-Based 3D Software for Computing Facial Area and Volume Measurements

“…Furthermore, Tomasik et al conducted comprehensive research over five years into the application of AI in automated 2D and 3D cephalometric analysis, specifically within digital orthodontics. Their extensive investigations also encompassed facets such as facial analysis, decision making based on algorithms, and the monitoring of treatment outcomes and retention rates [52].…”