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AI gains ground in dental implant navigation, review finds
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By TechWatch PH Staff
Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining attention as a technology that could enhance precision and clinical decision-making in dental implant procedures, according to a scoping review published in Cureus (Menon S S, Jacob S, Eldho Paul A, et al., January 04, 2026, Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Implant Navigation Systems: A Scoping Review, Cureus 18(1): e100776. doi:10.7759/cureus.100776).
The review examined existing studies on the use of AI in dental implant navigation systems, focusing on how emerging technologies are being integrated into pre-surgical planning and intraoperative guidance.
Researchers mapped current applications of AI, including machine learning-based analysis of dental imaging and navigation support designed to assist clinicians during implant placement.
According to the review, AI-driven navigation systems are being studied for their potential to enhance precision, reduce human error, and support clinicians in identifying optimal implant positioning.
These systems typically rely on digital imaging data, such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), to generate navigation guidance and predictive insights.
The review found that AI-assisted systems recorded minimal deviations, with angular errors of less than two degrees and positional discrepancies below 0.5 millimeters compared with conventional techniques.
The authors noted that future integration of AI with technologies such as augmented reality could further enhance surgical precision, while predictive tools for implant longevity may help improve long-term outcomes.
The authors noted that while interest in AI-assisted dental navigation is growing, the field remains in an early stage. Most of the available literature consists of exploratory or developmental studies rather than large-scale clinical trials. As a result, evidence on long-term clinical outcomes, reliability, and standardization is still limited.
The review also highlighted gaps in current research, including the need for consistent evaluation methods, broader datasets, and clearer clinical validation before AI-based navigation systems can be widely adopted in routine dental practice.
Researchers concluded that AI shows promise as a supportive technology in dental implant navigation but emphasized that further high-quality studies are needed to determine its real-world effectiveness, safety, and integration into clinical workflows.
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