Artificial Intelligence is reshaping periodontology: smarter diagnosis, precision treatment, and next-generation education

Vienna, 12 May 2025 – New research to be presented at EuroPerio11 congress, organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming periodontology and implant dentistry, enhancing screening, treatment, and education. "AI is revolutionising dentistry, from personalised treatment planning to predictive analytics," says Lior Shapira, scientific chair of EuroPerio11 and past president of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP). "At EuroPerio11, we will explore how AI is not just an emerging tool but an integral part of the future of periodontology, reshaping patient care and education. With AI, dentistry is entering a new era of digital innovation, and the profession must be prepared"

The AI in periodontal and implant therapy session (Thursday 15 May, 16.30-18.00) moderated by Dr Magda Feres (Harvard, Boston, United States) features keynote speakers and leading researchers from around the world who will discuss AI’s impact on periodontology and implant dentistry. The session will focus on:

·       AI in patient journey management: how AI is optimising each phase from pre-diagnosis to treatment adherence.

·       Explaining and validating AI in periodontology: how to ensure trust in AI-driven diagnostics and treatment planning.

·       Big data applications in periodontal and systemic disease interactions:  how AI-powered analyses of multidimensional health data can improve clinical decision-making.

EuroPerio11: A growing focus on AI

As well as the dedicated session on AI in periodontology and implant dentistry, EuroPerio11 received a significant number of abstracts reflecting the growing interest in AI applications in periodontal care. These studies highlight AI’s potential to enhance diagnostics, optimise treatment planning, and improve educational tools in the field. Among them:

AI surpassing clinicians in periodontal screening

A study from China on deep learning models trained on digital twins ^[i] shows that AI can accurately screen for periodontitis, often outperforming clinicians. The research suggests that AI models focus on crucial image areas and capture diagnostic features that may not be immediately apparent to human experts, making AI a promising tool for large-scale screening programs.

AI as an educational tool

AI is not only transforming clinical practice but also reshaping periodontal education. A study from the United States and Saudi Arabia ^[ii] comparing large language models found that ChatGPT-4o outperformed Claude 3 Opus and Gemini Advanced in the 2024 periodontology in-service examination. These findings highlight AI’s role in training future periodontists and providing real-time, evidence-based guidance for practitioners. Future research should investigate the integration of AI language models into periodontal education and their effects on learning outcomes and clinical decision-making.

Enhancing surgical planning with AI

Two additional studies underscore AI’s role in optimising treatment planning and surgical decision-making. Research from China on deep learning models ^[iii] shows AI can predict alveolar ridge topography changes post-surgery, improving treatment outcomes. Another study from Korea ^[iv]demonstrates that AI-powered automated surgical planning enhances implant placement strategies in the posterior maxilla, streamlining workflows in implant dentistry.

AI in Diagnosis: speed and accuracy in periodontal staging and grading

A web-based AI model ^[v] was developed in Serbia and Italy to assist in periodontal staging and grading, offering real-time second opinions for clinicians. The findings indicate that neural network-based systems can enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce decision-making time.

The future of AI in periodontology

While all these studies highlight AI’s growing role in periodontology, researchers emphasise the need for continued validation and clinician oversight to ensure ethical and effective integration. AI models must be trained on diverse populations and validated across different clinical settings before widespread adoption. "AI is changing the way we diagnose, treat, and educate in periodontology," says Shapira. "These thought-provoking studies demonstrate AI's potential to enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and optimise workflows. While AI will not replace the expertise of dental professionals, at least in the near future, as it continues to evolve it is becoming an invaluable tool in supporting evidence-based, personalised care. The future of medicine, including periodontology and implant dentistry, is one where human expertise is supported by new digital tools to make oral health more precise, efficient, and accessible worldwide."

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^[i] O017 A Deep Learning Model Trained on Digital Twins Accurately Screens for Periodontitis in Real Life and Outperforms Clinicians

^[ii] O121 Artificial Intelligence in Periodontology: Performance Evaluation of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini on the In-Service Examination

^[iii] O080 Prediction of Alveolar Ridge Topography Change after Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Deep Learning

^[iv] PD122 Automated Surgical Planning for Implant Placement in the Posterior Maxilla Using Deep Learning

^[v] PR377 The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Periodontal Staging and Grading