Use of Artificial Intelligence for Early Diagnosis of Dental Caries and Periodontal Diseases
1Babar Shahzad, 2Muhammad Athif Akram, 3Mansoor Musa, 4Qamar Abbas, 5Isma Abbas, 6 Dr Saima Asim
Submission: 30 January 2026 | Acceptance: 08 March 2026 | Publication: 02 April 2026,
1UHS, Lahore
2Associate Professor Abu Umara Medical and Dental College Lahore /Ali Fatima Hospital
3UHS Lahore
4PIMS Islamabad
5PIMS Islamabad
6Associate Professor, Community Dentistry, Hamdard college of Medicine and Dentistry
ABSTRACT:
Background: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are two of the most common oral health problems in the world and represent a high burden of dental morbidity. Conventional diagnostic approaches are based on a visual examination, radiographs, and clinical probing, all of which are variable and have diagnostic limitations. The latest article describes how recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are offering new possibilities to improve the accuracy and speed of dental diagnostics.
Objective: To review the potential of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of dental caries and periodontal diseases and to compare it with traditional diagnostic approaches.
Methods: This observational study was carried out at PIMS Hospital Islamabad and comprising a study population of 90 subjects. Data collection with participants occurred between August 2024 and April 2025. Artificial intelligence (AI) based diagnostic tools, such as image recognition algorithms and machine learning models were used to evaluate intraoral and radiographic images. The findings were compared with a clinical diagnosis based on the experience of dentists.
Results: Diagnostic accuracy of AI models for dental caries and periodontal diseases was 91% and 88%, while that of traditional clinical examination was 85% and 82%, respectively. AI-based diagnostics had higher sensitivity and specificity compared with the conventional methods (p 0.05), presenting better detection in particular early-stage lesions. Moreover, AI tools decreased diagnostic time and operator dependence.
Conclusion: Artificial intelligence was strongly beneficial in increasing the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of dental caries and periodontal diseases detection. Incorporation of AI into daily dental practice may represent a great supplement to the traditional methods, providing standardized, fast, and accurate support.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Dental Caries, Periodontal Diseases, Diagnostic Accuracy, Machine Learning, Oral Health, PIMS Hospital Islamabad.