The world takes new shape every day.
Often so new, it’s never been seen before, considered before, possible before or accepted before. Some of these shapes are made up on the fly. Others could have been lifted straight from Göbekli Tepe because everything very, very old is new again. For those who wrote out their schoolwork by hand, researched in a library and used underlining and bookmarks, the old certainties simply no longer apply. Even the global system we’ve known since 1945 no longer exists. The US president openly supports a war because of future personal investment opportunities, engulfed a gulf in patriotic guff, and still has crazy paving dreams about Greenland and Canada.
It’s not a fraction of that which could never be, that suddenly be.
So much of the once incomprehensible is now delivered as a fait accompli. Served on a non-recyclable tray by a somebody-look-alike, who appears to think that mediocre but arrogant is an MBA.
Are we still able to discern truth? Have we ever really had that ability? It’s a scientific fact that our brain knows no difference between what is real and what is imagined. Although the subjective experience is different, brain activity has been shown to be almost exactly the same, whether an activity is being physically carried out or a passive thought.
Are we therefore forever hallucinating?
Essentially, all the richness, detail and emotional response to the world around us is entirely made up. A construct created by the neurons in our head. There is no solid barrier between imagination and reality. The visual cortex that codes images has an almost superficial layer in which imaginary experiences are ciphered. In simple terms, our brain evaluates images against a reality threshold. If the sensory input is processed as below that marker, the conclusion for whatever is under scrutiny is that it’s fantasy. Above, and it’s perceived as real.
This competent assessment system has served us well throughout our evolution; even with the variations that produce dreams, hallucinations and persistently invasive thoughts. Studies have found that imagination and perception can actually mix. It’s a relentless balancing act, accurately regulating how vivid a mental image is, in order to avoid confusing what is real with what is not.
In the 21st century and the world of AI, that’s exponentially more challenging.
Quality representations, simulations and imitations of the real world are so commonplace, neuroscience hypothesises that our brain is learning to ascertain actuality rather more differently than it would have just a century ago. The impact of the digital world, and the deeply interconnected technology and science revolutions have altered our reality threshold.
It’s a shift that includes all that surrounds, encompasses, colours and gives shape to it. Such things as possibility, probability and palpability. Phenomena starts to feel prosaic.
Innovations in dentistry have transformed the industry. CEREC, CAD/CAM, laser, 3D printing and AI have practitioner expertise extending to advanced technology systems, and cloud-based professional collaboration.
All converge with patient-focused care that’s not about articaine and drills anymore – it’s algorithms and data. It’s detection, prediction, analysis, efficiency and speed. A binary system that recognises many things. Although certainly not the anxiety in a patient’s voice, or the relief of a positive prognosis. With high accuracy, AI is able to diagnose anything from oral cancer, TMJ, bone lesions and periodontal disease; to caries and cysts. Yet patient-centric care is an empty claim if there’s a thorough lack of empathy – which only the clinician and their team can give.
Poor communication skills with no understanding of the human intangibles also occupying the chair proves substandard professionalism that no advanced system can ever make up for.
The impact of no rapport or relationship between patient and practitioner carries such emotional weight, it has many change dentists, or sadly allow their oral health suffer because of the negative imprint it can create.
The enormous influence of social media and unlimited access to internet information has made it very common now for patients to want invisible aligners.
From scans, AI will produce a flawless 3D model, predetermine the most efficacious tooth movement, provide a treatment plan and create the series of aligners from thermoforming plastic. All fantastic stuff – except the orthodontist’s professional opinion and clinical experience is that with the patient’s bone discrepancy, long-term stability can only be achieved with conventional braces. The contention isn’t about correction – it’s about influence. There’s more trust in the technology than the technician.
Decisive moments between machine precision, patient, and physician knowledge are becoming more frequent and complex. AI’s algorithms – that don’t factor in particulars like fears or financial constraints – may advise a crown. The patient instead wants a filling; and the dentist finds that neither treatment is necessary. With media platforms, advertising, the internet and an evolving belief that humans make mistakes that programs can’t, the pressure against professional judgment is increasing.
They’re disagreements that can’t be resolved by simply surrendering to data. Blind compliance cannot be the priority – it has to be communication between the patient and the dentist.
Systems need to include demographic and lifestyle diversity, rather than presenting one optimal treatment. The basis on which the AI recommendation was made has to be transparent. Is it cost? Bone density? Dataset limitations? Patients are well served in realising and appreciating that AI is a useful guide, not an authority. Bias has developed because of digital idealism and the half-knowledge of self-appointed Google degrees. It seems that as technology progresses, the worth of human interaction diminishes.
Dental care is navigating a new landscape of ethics, evidence, empathy algorithms, awareness and influence.
The best oral treatment outcome consists of more than just what is exact. It includes what is understood by the patient, and what is valued by them. Like the confidence, pride and sense of wellbeing that comes from keeping your own teeth, and what process may be needed to uphold that. The real issue with jaw pain may be sleep deprivation and tension that’s better remedied by relaxation techniques and a course of mild sedatives than a TMJ splint.
The best use of AI in dentistry is for it to enhance diagnostic processes and offer information on what may have been missed; not to reshape human trust. When in doubt, believe your dentist. They know what repair and recovery look like, and the things AI can’t see.
