Shen K-L, Huang C-L, Lin Y-C et al. Effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted Dental Monitoring Intervention in Patients with Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Periodontol 2022; DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13675. Online ahead of print.

Using AI monitoring at home had a positive effect on treatment outcomes for patients with periodontitis.

This study evaluated the effects of an at-home AI-assisted dental monitoring application on treatment outcomes in patients with periodontitis. Participants with periodontitis were recruited and randomly assigned into an AI (AI; n = 16), AI and human counselling (AIHC; n = 17), or control (CG; n = 20) group. All participants received non-surgical periodontal treatment. An AI-assisted tool called DENTAL MONITORING (DM) intervention was used. This is a new technological AI monitoring product that utilises smartphone cameras for intraoral scanning and assessment. Patients in the AI and AIHC groups respectively received additional (a) DM or (b) DM with real-person counselling over three months. Periodontal parameters were collected at baseline and follow-ups. A mixed-design model analysed the follow-up effects over time. The AI and AIHC groups respectively exhibited greater improvement in probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and plaque index at three-month follow-up than the CG did. The AIHC group had a greater reduction in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level at the three-month follow-up compared with the AI group.