{"id":503,"date":"2024-05-16T10:09:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T10:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.longmontcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=503"},"modified":"2024-06-14T22:10:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T22:10:05","slug":"ai-can-detect-gum-disease-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.longmontcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/2024\/05\/16\/ai-can-detect-gum-disease-early\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Technology\u2019s Power: AI Can Detect Gum Disease Early"},"content":{"rendered":"
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More and more, AI technology is making waves as the next big trend. Whether it\u2019s ChatGPT or Midjourney, you can\u2019t help hearing about machine intelligence and what it can do now. Still, it isn\u2019t just the generative stuff that\u2019s having big breakthroughs. New research shows that AI can detect gum disease early and greatly help dental patients<\/a>. For details on this science news, let your Longmont dentist say more. Here\u2019s a summary of gum disease, how AI detects it, and why early detection matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Context: What\u2019s Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know much about gum disease, it\u2019s best to review the basics before proceeding. Doing so lets you see why AI\u2019s detection ability is so exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In essence, gum disease is an infection of your gums. It most often results from plaque \u2013 a bacterial biofilm \u2013 building up too much in your mouth. That said, this condition does have other big risk factors like genetics, tobacco use, hormonal changes, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease develops in two distinct stages once left to itself. Its first phase is called gingivitis \u2013 an early form that inflames your gum tissue. The condition may then become periodontitis, an infection that attacks your gums and jaw. While gingivitis is reversible, this second form can only be managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI & Early Gum Disease Detection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s normally dentists who detect and diagnose gum disease, but that may not be true for much longer. A recent study finds certain AIs can also manage this task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study was published in the International Dental Journal, an official journal of the World Dental Federation. In it, scholars found that AIs can analyze patients\u2019 dental photos to detect redness, swelling, and other gum disease signs. These algorithms even did this work with over 90% accuracy! So, they could allow for widespread monitoring of gum health and more personal dental care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does Early Detection Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While AI\u2019s early detection ability may seem nice, perhaps you aren\u2019t sure why it matters. Well, the truth is that it has the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n