Artificial Intelligence: A New Diagnostic Software in Dentistry: A Preliminary Performance Diagnostic Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 2;19(3):1728. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031728.

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken hold in public health because more and more people are looking to make a diagnosis using technology that allows them to work faster and more accurately, reducing costs and the number of medical errors.

Methods: In the present study, 120 panoramic X-rays (OPGs) were randomly selected from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences of Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. The OPGs were acquired and analyzed using Apox, which takes a panoramic X-rayand automatically returns the dental formula, the presence of dental implants, prosthetic crowns, fillings and root remnants. A descriptive analysis was performed presenting the categorical variables as absolute and relative frequencies.

Results: In total, the number of true positive (TP) values was 2.195 (19.06%); true negative (TN), 8.908 (77.34%); false positive (FP), 132 (1.15%); and false negative (FN), 283 (2.46%). The overall sensitivity was 0.89, while the overall specificity was 0.98.

Conclusions: The present study shows the latest achievements in dentistry, analyzing the application and credibility of a new diagnostic method to improve the work of dentists and the patients' care.

Keywords: accuracy; artificial intelligence; dental radiology; digital dentistry; machine learning.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Radiography, Panoramic
  • Software
  • Tooth*