Effectiveness of AI-driven remote monitoring technology in improving oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Dental Monitoring™ (DM™) Artificial Intelligence Driven Remote Monitoring Technology (AIDRM) technology in improving the patient's oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment through AI-based personalized active notifications. Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted on two groups of orthodontic patients. DM Group: (n = 24) monitored by DM weekly scans and received personalized notifications on the DM smartphone application regarding their oral hygiene status. Control Group (n = 25) not monitored by DM. Both groups were clinically assessed using Plaque Index (OPI) and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI). DM Group was followed for 13 months and the Control Group was followed for 5 months. Student-independent t test and paired t tests were used to investigate the mean differences between study groups and between time points for each group respectively. Results: At all time points, the mean differences indicated that the DM group had lower OPI and MGI values than the control group. The mean value for OPI and MGI were statistically significantly lower in the DM group (OPI = 1.96, MGI = 1.56) than in the control group (OPI = 2.41, MGI = 2.17) after 5 months. A rapid increase in mean OPI and MGI values was found between T0 and T1 for both study groups. A plateau effect for OPI scores appeared to occur from T1 to T5 for both study groups, but the plateau effect seemed to be more pronounced for the DM group than the study group. The MGI values for both study groups also increased dramatically from baseline to T5, however, a plateau effect was not observed. Conclusions: The oral hygiene of orthodontic patients rapidly worsens over the first 3 months and plateaus after about 5 months of treatment. AIDRM by weekly DM scans and personalized active notifications may improve oral hygiene over time in orthodontic patients.