The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven technologies for dental treatments improves patient care and accelerates the progress of treatment, but it must not replace the expert knowledge and experience of dentists.
 
This was the submission of experts who spoke at the 18th Annual Scientific Conference and Eighth Alumni Guest Lecture of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, on Thursday.    
 
Held under the theme, ‘Creating the Perfect Smile: Modern Possibilities in Tooth Alignment’ and sub-theme, ‘The Snow White Complex: How Social Media Distorts the Perception of Natural Tooth Shade,’ the conference attracted dentists from across the country, underscoring the faculty’s tradition of academic excellence and unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, clinical practice, research and innovation in the dental sciences. 
 
The keynote speaker, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, who is Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and President, Nigerian Association of Orthodontists, highlighted various AI-driven technologies that have made dental treatment more comfortable and less aggressive while improving patient care.
 
Her words: “We are talking about modern possibilities in tooth alignment. Instead of going through surgery, we are going through AI-driven technologies.”

We are using deep learning and we have newer procedures. We have the Laser procedure, we have Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs), we have new automated systems that will change your files to digital things that can be worked upon and produced even without the patient moving from the clinic to the lab.
 
“We also have what we call accelerated surgical procedures that help us to make the treatment more comfortable, less aggressive surgeries, less bleeding and less discomfort in a more suitable outcome. So, these AD-driven technologies have helped to improve patient care and accelerate the progress of treatment. These are the modern possibilities we are discussing here today. They are tools that help you; you remain the expert.”
  
The Dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, UNILAG, Prof. Olalekan Gbotolorun, also acknowledged the role of AI in dental treatments, but warned against over dependence on it.
 
“AI helps us a lot. It helps us in making diagnosis; it helps us in treatment planning; it helps us in follow-up. So, like she said, all these things are a help to us. AI shouldn’t take over our treatment; we should use them to get better treatment for our patients, but we must not allow them to take over completely,” he said.     
 
Gbotolorun said the theme of the conference was informed by the growing expectation from patients seeking dental care that are not science driven.
 
“Dentistry provides a lot of aesthetics for people. But we are beginning to see an expectation that is not driven by science, an expectation that is driven by social media, which is beginning to have an ill effect on the well being of the teeth of the populace. So, we felt that we should talk about it and at least curtail it to a certain extent,” he said.
 
Speaking to the sub-theme, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ridge Dental Clinic, Dr. Adeola Abolarinwa, warned Nigerians to be cautious of what they see on social media with regard to dental treatment.
 
She said: “We should be cautious of what we see on social media; what we see online is not reality. We are dentists. We know what the parameters, ratios and how everything is supposed to be. And nature knows what it is doing – the shape of your head, the shape of your face, your jaw and your mouth is the complementary dentition that will grow.
 
“So, if you go online and some people are doing what we call production line dentistry (one size fits all), you cannot use social media as a frame of reference. What we usually advise is: go to a dentist, have your concerns discussed and then let him/her advise you on what works for you. Even if we modify it, we will follow your natural features to make it complementary to your general appearance. So, my advice is: take what you saw on social media to the dentist. They will now break it down and then you can now have a better reference point.”
 
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Olawale Adamson, noted that cosmetic dentistry sits at the intersection of art and science, stating that it enhances smiles and improves lives.
 
He, however, warned that, “as we celebrate innovation, we must uphold our responsibility to deliver safe, accessible and culturally sensitive care. Cosmetic dentistry should be practiced ethically, based on accurate diagnosis, realistic expectations and dedicated to patient well being.”