1MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
Email: hitesh.desarda@gmail.com
2MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
Email: nishasalvi291@gmail.com
3MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
Email: vummadikeerthi1994@gmail.com
4MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
Email: shitalkharat42@gmail.com
5MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sarswati Dhanwantari Dental College, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.
Email: Supriyalvaidya263@gmail.com
Funding Statement:
Introduction: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has initiated a paradigm shift within healthcare, particularly in the field of dentistry. As AI continues its rapid evolution, its capacity to pinpoint anatomical structures serves as a vital safeguard against clinical errors. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate how AI-driven technologies influence the precision of diagnostics, the development of treatment strategies, and the forecasting of clinical outcomes. By leveraging machine learning and deep learning, these systems have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in interpreting complex dental imagery, enabling the timely and accurate identification of conditions such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancers.
Materials and Methods: A thorough exploration of several electronic databases—including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar—was performed to identify relevant research. The search was restricted to literature published between January 2018 and December 2025. Out of an initial 298 identified papers, 44 were chosen for final analysis based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion parameters. The QUADAS-2 tool was utilized to assess the quality and risk of bias within the selected studies. The gathered evidence illustrates the profound impact of AI across diverse dental sectors, ranging from radiology and oncology to orthodontics, prosthodontics, and comprehensive patient management.
Conclusion: This review confirms that AI-enhanced systems in dentistry exhibit outstanding performance. By mirroring the accuracy and meticulousness of experienced specialists, AI acts as a sophisticated adjunct that elevates the standard of oral healthcare.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Dentistry, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Neural Networks.
How to cite this article: Desarda HM, Salvi N, Keerthi V, Kharat S, Vaidya S. The Evolving Role of Artificial Intelligence in Oral Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Current Applications and Clinical Evidence. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 177-187; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.29
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: Nil.