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Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2692-9406/194
Sr. Professor & Head Daswani Dental College affliated Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
*Corresponding Author: Ashish Pandey. Otolaryngology Clinic in Mielec, Poland
Citation: Ashish Pandey. (2025) Artificial Intelligence, Sports, and Dentistry: Synergistic Advances and Future Applications. Biomedical Research and Clinical Reviews, 10(1); Doi: 10.31579/2692-9406/194
Copyright: © 2025 Ashish Pandey, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Received: 06 January 2025 | Accepted: 15 January 2025 | Published: 17 January 2025
Keywords: artificial intelligence; dentistry; sports science; predictive analytics; dental diagnostics; personalized treatment; biomechanics; injury prevention
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across various fields has brought transformative changes in the way professionals approach problem-solving, decision-making, and innovation. Dentistry, a field that thrives on precision and adaptability, has begun incorporating AI to revolutionize diagnostic tools, patient care, and treatment planning. Concurrently, in sports, AI has offered insights into performance enhancement, injury prevention, and personalized training regimens. This article explores the intersection of AI, sports, and dentistry, presenting the latest research findings and discussing the applications of AI in these domains. It emphasizes how AI can foster advancements in dental care by leveraging insights from sports science, particularly in performance tracking and personalized treatments. This exploration includes a review of recent AI-driven technologies and techniques that are pushing the boundaries of dental care, informed by sports-related biomechanics, predictive modeling, and rehabilitation protocols. The article also highlights ethical considerations, challenges, and the potential future trajectory of AI’s role in dentistry and sports. Through a comprehensive analysis of AI’s current and potential impact, we envision a future where these two seemingly disparate fields converge, enhancing patient outcomes and human performance.
Artificial intelligence has been a driving force behind significant technological advancements across various disciplines. From automating routine tasks to enhancing the accuracy of complex procedures, AI's role in contemporary practice is undeniable. In recent years, both dentistry and sports have witnessed considerable shifts in how data is analyzed, interpreted, and applied. In sports, AI aids in refining performance metrics, reducing injury rates, and offering individualized coaching strategies, while in dentistry, AI is pivotal in diagnostics, treatment planning, and enhancing patient care through machine learning algorithms and data-driven approaches.
The merging of sports science with dental health is an emerging trend. Athletes often suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, bruxism, and other dental issues related to physical stress and performance. AI's predictive capabilities allow for early diagnosis and treatment, drawing parallels between physical exertion in sports and the stresses endured by dental structures. Additionally, dental professionals are utilizing AI-driven image analysis and biomechanical simulations to optimize treatments and improve the durability of dental restorations, much like how athletes’ movements are optimized for better performance. This synergy between sports and dentistry, facilitated by AI, offers promising avenues for research and application.
AI in Dentistry
AI applications in dentistry have grown substantially, offering a range of tools from enhanced diagnostic capabilities to more precise treatment planning. The most prominent AI technologies in dentistry involve machine learning algorithms that analyze medical imaging, predictive models for caries detection, and automated charting systems that improve patient record-keeping and retrieval. These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also significantly reduce human error. AI has been particularly impactful in dental radiology, where it assists clinicians in detecting lesions, cysts, and other abnormalities with remarkable accuracy. Studies show that AI models outperform traditional diagnostic methods, particularly in interpreting panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans [1].
AI’s application extends to orthodontics, where predictive models are employed to assess tooth movement, aiding in the customization of braces and aligners. In endodontics, AI is being used to forecast treatment outcomes based on prior case data, significantly improving patient prognoses. Additionally, AI-driven 3D printing and digital dentistry have revolutionized prosthodontics, allowing for precise and efficient design of crowns, bridges, and implants [2].
A recent study explored the role of AI in predicting the onset of periodontitis by analyzing patients’ behavioral and genetic data. By integrating lifestyle factors, diet, and oral hygiene habits, AI systems can now provide personalized preventive care plans, reducing the risk of periodontal disease [3]. Similarly, AI algorithms are being developed to assess patients’ salivary biomarkers, offering insights into systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, both of which have implications for dental health [4].
AI in Sports Science and Its Dental Implications
AI's penetration into sports science has been groundbreaking, offering new insights into injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization. Machine learning models analyze large datasets from athletes, identifying patterns that can predict injuries before they occur. This is especially relevant to dentistry, as AI tools in sports science often rely on biomechanical assessments—many of which have applications in understanding dental stresses caused by bruxism, TMJ disorders, and other stress-related dental conditions [5].
For example, advanced biomechanical simulations used in sports to analyze joint stresses during movement have been adapted in dentistry to study the forces exerted on dental restorations and implants. This crossover allows dentists to optimize treatment plans for patients with sports-related dental injuries or conditions exacerbated by physical strain. Research has shown that athletes involved in contact sports are more likely to suffer from traumatic dental injuries, and AI can play a pivotal role in predicting and preventing such injuries [6].
AI’s impact on rehabilitation in sports also offers valuable insights for dentistry. Virtual rehabilitation systems used for athletes recovering from injury are being adapted for dental patients undergoing rehabilitation after maxillofacial surgery. These systems use motion capture and AI-driven feedback to help patients recover more effectively, tracking their progress and adjusting treatment protocols in real-time [7].
Latest Research in AI, Sports, and Dentistry
While much research has focused on AI in dentistry or AI in sports independently, a growing body of work examines the overlap of these fields. Recent studies have explored the use of AI to monitor dental health in athletes, assessing how stress, diet, and training intensity affect oral health. These studies highlight the potential of AI in developing personalized dental care plans for athletes based on their unique physiological and behavioral data [8].
An innovative AI application in this area involves the use of wearable devices that monitor an athlete's physiological data, including bite force, grinding frequency, and jaw stress. This data is then used to predict the likelihood of developing dental issues like bruxism or TMJ disorders, offering real-time feedback to both athletes and dental professionals [9].
Moreover, researchers are exploring the use of AI in designing custom mouthguards for athletes. Using 3D scanning and AI-driven simulations, dentists can now create mouthguards that are more effective in preventing dental injuries, while also optimizing the athlete's breathing and comfort during use. This integration of sports science and dentistry through AI offers a promising avenue for further innovation [10].
Ethical Considerations and Challenges
The integration of AI into both sports and dentistry brings several ethical challenges. In dentistry, issues of patient data privacy and the potential for AI to exacerbate inequalities in access to care are significant concerns. While AI has the potential to democratize access to high-quality dental care, there is a risk that it could widen the gap between those who have access to AI-driven technologies and those who do not. Furthermore, reliance on AI could lead to reduced human oversight, potentially undermining the doctor-patient relationship [11].
In sports, ethical considerations around data privacy, particularly concerning wearable devices that track athletes' physiological data, have been raised. Additionally, there is the question of AI’s role in enhancing athletic performance and whether this constitutes an unfair advantage. As these technologies continue to evolve, regulatory bodies must ensure that their use is ethically sound and that patients' and athletes' rights are safeguarded [12].
Future Perspectives
The future of AI in dentistry and sports is incredibly promising, with continued advancements likely to push the boundaries of what is possible. In dentistry, we can expect further development of AI-driven diagnostics and personalized treatment plans that incorporate genetic, behavioral, and environmental data. The ability to offer truly individualized care will mark a significant advancement in patient outcomes [13].
In sports, AI will continue to refine injury prevention strategies and performance optimization, with more sophisticated models offering deeper insights into an athlete’s health and well-being. The crossover between these fields will only become more pronounced as AI technology evolves, offering new opportunities for collaboration between sports scientists and dental professionals [14].
AI's role in shaping the future of both dentistry and sports is undeniable. The convergence of these fields, facilitated by AI, offers unique opportunities for innovation, particularly in areas related to personalized care and injury prevention. As the technology continues to evolve, dental professionals and sports scientists must work together to ensure that AI is leveraged to its full potential, while also addressing the ethical and practical challenges that arise. By harnessing the power of AI, we can expect to see continued improvements in patient care, athlete performance, and overall health outcomes in the years to come.