What every dentist needs to know about in-house clear aligner therapy.

Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has gained popularity in recent years. As technological advancements increase within the field of dentistry, clinicians have opted to prouce orthodontic appliances within their own offices or clinics, often referred to as in-house CAT. Construction of in-house aligners utilizes 3-dimensional printing devices, potentially offering practitioners enhanced control and improving patient comfort. The aim of this article is to review the materials, methods, advantages, disadvantages, and procedural outcomes associated with the fabrication of aligners within a dental office or clinic.

What every dentist needs to know about the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a division of computer science that allows machines to emulate human cognitive processes. In dentistry, AI is applied in clinical decision-making and can aid in detecting disease and predicting patterns based on existing data sets. AI can assist clinicians by quickly analyzing massive amounts of data to improve workflow, identify patterns of disease, provide risk assessment, and create individualized patient-centered treatment plans. AI has been shown to increase efficiency in the office by aiding in scheduling, tracking, and updating patient records to better organize patient data. The objective of this article is to outline the various applications of AI in different dental specialties. Applications range from business functions such as marketing, cyber security, and report writing to clinical uses such as lesion detection and surgical guidance. This review will also discuss some of the ethical considerations and drawbacks associated with implementing AI in the dental practice.