Personalized workflows in reconstructive dentistry—current possibilities and future opportunities

Abstract

Objectives The increasing collection of health data coupled with continuous IT advances have enabled precision medicine with personalized workflows. Traditionally, dentistry has lagged behind general medicine in the integration of new technologies: So what is the status quo of precision dentistry? The primary focus of this review is to provide a current overview of personalized workflows in the discipline of reconstructive dentistry (prosthodontics) and to highlight the disruptive potential of novel technologies for dentistry; the possible impact on society is also critically discussed. Material and methods Narrative literature review. Results Narrative literature review. Conclusions In the near future, artificial intelligence (AI) will increase diagnostic accuracy, simplify treatment planning, and thus contribute to the development of personalized reconstructive workflows by analyzing e-health data to promote decision-making on an individual patient basis. Dental education will also benefit from AI systems for personalized curricula considering the individual students’ skills. Augmented reality (AR) will facilitate communication with patients and improve clinical workflows through the use of visually guided protocols. Tele-dentistry will enable opportunities for remote contact among dental professionals and facilitate remote patient consultations and post-treatment follow-up using digital devices. Finally, a personalized digital dental passport encoded using blockchain technology could enable prosthetic rehabilitation using 3D-printed dental biomaterials. Clinical significance Overall, AI can be seen as the door-opener and driving force for the evolution from evidence-based prosthodontics to personalized reconstructive dentistry encompassing a synoptic approach with prosthetic and implant workflows. Nevertheless, ethical concerns need to be solved and international guidelines for data management and computing power must be established prior to a widespread routine implementation.

Where Is the Artificial Intelligence Applied in Dentistry? Systematic Review and Literature Analysis

“…The pandemic situation may have forced an accelerated utilization of the smart technologies that are often combined with tele-health solutions [ 7 , 60 ]. Current high-quality publications regarding AI utilization in the category of Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine registered by Web of Science—Core Collection include 24 review articles in the year 2021 and 5 review articles published in the year 2022 [ 60 , 191 , 192 , 193 ]. Of these, only one paper covered the whole dental field.…”

Salivary biomarkers as key to monitor personalized oral healthcare and precision dentistry: A scoping review

“…Therefore, it is much easier to implement personalized workflows in periodontology compared to other disciplines. For example, in reconstructive dentistry, it is per se a highly personalized discipline and uniform standard operating procedures (SOP) are hard to implement, except for situations that are directly comparable, such as complete edentulous patients ( 81 ).…”

Patient‐reported outcome measures compared to professional dental assessments of monolithic ZrO2 implant fixed dental prostheses in complete digital workflows: A double‐blind crossover randomized controlled trial

“…Overall, the findings of this RCT underline the importance of understanding patients' expectations in advance of any invasive steps. The dentist's responsibility is rather acting as a medical advisor and moderator based on sound clinical evidence for a personalized solution: objectively, transparently, and in line with the individual patient's need 1 . In reconstructive dentistry, several therapy options are often conceivable and the need for clarification is particularly important.…”

“…In the past, the choice of patient therapy was determined by the dentist, often in consultation with the dental technician for choice of materials. Over time, this monodirectional decision‐making relationship between clinician and patient has changed 1 . The advent of evidence‐based dentistry, coupled with widespread access to information on dental treatment options on the internet, has shifted the focus towards providing transparent patient information that explains the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment options, thereby directly involving the patient in the treatment planning process 2 .…”