What technologies will change our ideas about the visit to the dentist

Diagnostics at the level of artificial intelligence

Today on technology artificial intelligence Experts of different areas have high expectations. Dentists are no exception. For example, some experts believe that in the near future, an artificial intelligence system will help to analyze and diagnose various diseases of the mouth and even offer their own treatment options, given the characteristics of the particular patient and all possible proschityvaya effects.

The first steps in this direction have already been made. Company ParallelDots, specializes in the development of artificial intelligence, it is already testing in American hospitals its cloud system Dentistry. AI. The technology helps doctors find cavities in the teeth based on the analysis of X-rays. According to the developers, the algorithm determines the area where the most likely to develop tooth decay in a few seconds. This information helps the dentist to build a plan for further examination and treatment of problem areas.

That in fact

Artificial Intelligence - is a very interesting and promising area, but the fact that in the near future, this technology will be able to independently prescribe treatments to patients, bordering on fantasy. Yes, the AI ​​can perform some specific narrow task. For example, to analyze X-rays, as described in the above example. However, these results do not rely completely: it is impossible to determine the diagnosis only one X-ray, it requires a comprehensive examination.

It should also be understood that while the artificial intelligence is still running for a given algorithm.

Before AI will be able to determine the disease, it is necessary to provide all the information on all existing diseases, even if only in the field of dentistry. And here - a dead end, because none of this information is not.

I'm not talking about the fact that medicine can not in principle be any algorithms, as each case is different.

Robots dentists

Last fall, China's robot dentist independently operatedChinese robot dentist is first to fit implants in patient's mouth without any human involvement patient. Developers have presented it as the solution to painful problem of the Chinese - a huge shortage of qualified dentists. However, quite unable to do without the help of doctors. Experts asked all the necessary parameters, adjust the angle and direction of movement.

The operation was successful: a robot installed two of the implant, thus committing an error only 0.2-0.3 mm. The news instantly spread around the Internet, but most of the users admitted that they themselves would not have signed such an experiment.

University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical spentAre You OK with Having a Robot Dentist? online survey: the provision of public dental services you are willing to trust a robot? Respondents 10 variants procedures were proposed: the elementary dentifrice to surgical interventions. More than 500 people participated in the study. Most agreed to go to a cleaning robot or bleachAnd only 32% of respondents would not trust him, even such simple procedures. But when they were offered a 50% discount on the cost of similar services from a qualified physician, 83% of them changed their minds. Daredevils, ready to install or remove the tooth crown in automated dentist turned and did the unit.

That in fact

Of course, the fact that the robots today can independently carry out operations, - an exaggeration. They can perform any particular action on the set parameters doctor. But what would happen if suddenly starts bleeding or the patient does not react well to anesthesia?

The robot does not yet have the common sense to make their own decisions and to change the plan of operations in non-standard situations. It is not surprising that most people would not dare to sit in his chair.

As for the online survey, there is need to take into account that it was attended mostly by respondents from the US, where dental services are very expensive. But even in such simple procedures, the robot can cause serious damage, as for example, he does not feel the features of tooth enamel. So, I think in the next 50 years robots will not be able to press even partly dentists, although this trend and have great prospects.

VR-surgery

Entertainment industry for several years now in full introduces VR into their products. Today this technology to a new level, and gradually penetrate into other areas. Thus, virtual reality has become part of the educational training of future doctors.

Case Western Reserve University in collaboration with Microsoft and developed HoloLens anatomy course for medical universities: it allows you to study in detail the features of the human body in the three-dimensional images.

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental uses VR simulation for operations and other procedures. This training prepares future dentists to the first real practice. In addition, it may be used already experienced professionals to pre-mining complex operations.

That in fact

In virtual reality technology great promise both in dentistry and medicine in general. First of all I mean the manifold increase in that surgeon gives unlimited possibilities. When you have a small operative field, and even in a remote place, we have to adapt and work in awkward positions, and it is a colossal burden on the back and neck. Also the eyes are exposed to constant pereakkomodatsii (reconstruction with the focus of near objects to far and vice versa. - Approx. Ed.).

With VR, all these inconveniences are disappearing. I, for one, already operates patients in VR. The equipment had to gather their own: it is a small microscope with two cameras, which is located above the mouth of the patient, and VR-points, which translated three-dimensional and enlarged picture. My microscope gives a 16-fold increase, but you can get even more. Today it is not a problem.

In addition, VR will play a significant role in the development of robotics: the robot is required stereoscopic vision to quickly and without human assistance to respond to what is happening during the operation.

An alternative to injections

All who suffer tripanofobiey (fear of injection) or algophobia (fear of pain), American designers offered a modern alternative to a syringe - a computerized anesthesia. Looks like a pen device, which is hidden inside the superfine needle. The anesthetic is applied before the start of a puncture, so the patient does not feel absolutely nothing.

Thus anesthetized exclusively Operable zone, and hence no longer speechless mouth for several hours. In addition, the processor independently calculates the feed rate and the amount of anesthetic, taking into account individual characteristics of the patient. The technology has already passed the stage of testing and endorsed by the American Dental Association.

That in fact

Computerized anesthesia, I began to use more six years ago after training abroad. Then I was sure that in 2-3 years this development will be almost in every clinic, at least in Moscow and St. Petersburg. But that did not happen.

The fact that this technology is useful only to the patient. Clinic is not beneficial: additional costs for the equipment and its maintenance. Besides conducting a computerized anesthesia takes longer doctor's work. Yet the time will come when the clinics will have no choice - simply because of client demand.

conclusion

Of course, IT-technologies offer limitless possibilities in dentistry. They are the future. But it is important that developers and doctors came to this future together, solving real issues, rather than drawing fantastic pictures. Unfortunately or fortunately, no technology can not replace a true specialist, at least in the next decade.

Firstly, it is impossible to load into the car information on all diseases simply because she has no one.

Secondly, none of the technology does not yet have the intelligence to make their own decisions in unusual cases, which occur constantly in medicine.

And finally, no one has repealed the simple human relations.

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