ABSTRACT
DSOs have been at the forefront of adopting technology that demonstrates value-add to their businesses. Hence, DSOs have been quick to identify artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative means to support their business and clinical processes to benefit patient care. Specifically, AI can unlock clinical insights to inform practice affiliation and post-affiliation onboarding. Next, it can help support a standard of care across practices for compliance. And finally, AI technology can improve practice performance through the use of visualization tools to support dentists with patient treatment discussions and professional development of associates.
Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Dentistry , HumansABSTRACT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) builds upon the digital tools the dental profession has already adopted. It promises to transform the patient journey outlined above and support the quest of the dental community to improve oral health. In this review, we will detail how AI is used today in the clinic to improve patient care and experience. The review will start with the diagnostic capabilities of AI and then move to how it can be used to support treatment planning and patient communication. It will end with a discussion of how AI quantification helps dentists monitor longitudinal outcomes for patients and across the practice.
Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Oral Health , Dentistry , Forecasting , HumansSubject(s)
Dental Auxiliaries , Health Promotion , Oral Health , Dental Care , Health Literacy , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Public Health , United StatesSubject(s)
Dentistry/trends , American Dental Association/economics , American Dental Association/organization & administration , Budgets , Dental Auxiliaries/trends , Dental Care , Dentistry/organization & administration , Governing Board , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Licensure, Dental/trends , Organizational Objectives , Students, Dental , United StatesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) is defined as the presence of exposed bone for at least 8 weeks in patients with exposure to bisphosphonates and no history of radiotherapy to the jaw. We report 5 patients with a history of bisphosphonate use, sinus tracts or deep periodontal pockets and radiographic findings typical for BONJ but with no evidence of exposed necrotic bone at the first evaluation visit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean age was 70 years (range 66-77) and all were males. Patients had multiple myeloma (2), multiple myeloma and prostate cancer (1), monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (1) and osteoporosis (1). Three cases involved the mandible and 2 the maxilla. Four patients were on intravenous pamidronate and/or zoledonic acid and 1, alendronate. All cases except 1 (with deep periodontal pockets) presented with intraoral draining sinus tracts. RESULTS: Radiographic findings included persistence of extraction socket (2), mottled radio-opacity and radiolucency (1), presence of sequestrum (1) and no significant findings (1). Subsequently, 4 patients developed exposed bone and 1 patient had necrotic bone removed from the jaws. CONCLUSION: We report 5 patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy where 4 patients had persistent sinus tracts and a fifth, severe bone loss. Four patients had radiographic findings typical for BONJ, and all subsequently developed necrotic bone. We propose modifying the definition of BONJ to include a category of "suspected BONJ" Stage 0(sa) where patients have persistent sinus tracts or localized deep periodontal pockets and typical radiographic findings for BONJ but are asymptomatic, and Stage 0(ss) for those who are symptomatic.
Subject(s)
Bone Density Conservation Agents/adverse effects , Dental Fistula/etiology , Diphosphonates/adverse effects , Jaw Diseases/complications , Osteonecrosis/complications , Aged , Humans , Jaw Diseases/chemically induced , Male , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Osteonecrosis/chemically induced , Periodontal Pocket/etiology , Tooth Extraction/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Allograft bone has been used safely and extensively in dental and implant surgery for more than 35 years, and increased federal regulation only serves to enhance an exceptional safety record. However, proper selection of tissue from accredited banks by a knowledgeable clinician, and compliance with tracking and recordkeeping recommendations, will provide the ultimate benefit to the patients who trust our clinical judgment for their wellbeing.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Process/surgery , Bone Banks/standards , Bone Transplantation/methods , Animals , Cattle , Humans , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
A variety of advanced surgical techniques are available today for the treatment of soft-tissue complications in the restorative patient. Gingival recession and lack of attached gingiva can complicate delicate esthetic and prosthetic treatment. The restorative office must be able to critically evaluate the demands of the case and offer the patient options for correction of these advanced conditions. The ability to counsel in an informed way-outside the restorative arena-allows dentists to demonstrate their true commitment to the best outcome for the person they are dedicated to serve, the patient.
