Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

Authors

  • Maj Ayush Srivastava MDS, Department of Prosthodontics, Military Dental Centre, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Akash A M Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Shree Bankey Bihari Dental College and Research Center, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Navleen Dandiwal Project Research Scientist, Department of Dentistry, AIIMS Bathinda, Punjab, India
  • Ankita Singh Reader, Department of Prosthodontics Inc. Crown and Bridge, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, MMDU, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
  • Sushama Pal Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Shri Banke Bihari Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Shivani Kondhalkar Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Sinhgad Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.01.23

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, dentistry, machine learning, deep learning, umbrella review, digital dentistry

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, including dentistry. AI-driven systems are increasingly being used for diagnostic imaging, treatment planning, and predictive analysis. Numerous systematic reviews have evaluated the role of AI across various dental specialties. However, a comprehensive synthesis of these reviews is lacking.Objective: This umbrella review aims to summarize and critically analyze the evidence from systematic reviews evaluating the applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence in dentistry.Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for systematic reviews assessing artificial intelligence applications in dentistry. Reviews published in English that evaluated clinical, diagnostic, or educational applications of AI were included. Data extraction included author details, year of publication, focus area, and key findings. Results: A total of eight systematic reviews were included. The evidence suggests that AI is widely applied in dental radiology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and implantology. AI-based systems demonstrated improved diagnostic accuracy in detecting dental caries, periodontal bone loss, and periapical lesions. Additionally, AI has shown promising potential in treatment planning and clinical decision support. However, limitations such as data heterogeneity, limited clinical validation, and ethical concerns were reported.Conclusion: Artificial intelligence demonstrates considerable potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical efficiency in dentistry. Despite encouraging findings, further high-quality clinical studies and standardized validation protocols are required before widespread integration of AI technologies in routine dental practice.

References

Sadanandam, S., Ruby, G. F., Singer, S. R., & Shreevats, R. (2026). Artificial intelligence: What is current in dentistry? Dental Clinics of North America, 70(1), 99–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2025.09.006

FDI World Dental Federation. (2025). Artificial intelligence in dentistry. International Dental Journal, 75(1), 3–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2024.11.002

Mallineni, S. K., Sethi, M., Punugoti, D., Kotha, S. B., Alkhayal, Z., Mubaraki, S., Almotawah, F. N., Kotha, S. L., Sajja, R., Nettam, V., Thakare, A. A., & Sakhamuri, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence in dentistry: A descriptive review. Bioengineering, 11(12), 1267. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121267

Aboalshamat, K. T. (2022). Perception and utilization of artificial intelligence among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. The Open Dentistry Journal, 16. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210602216010005

Tyagi, M., Jain, S., Ranjan, M., Hassan, S., Prakash, N., Kumar, D., Kumar, A., & Singh, S. (2025). Artificial intelligence tools in dentistry: A systematic review on their application and outcomes. Cureus, 17(5), e85062. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.85062

Jha Kukreja, B., & Kukreja, P. (2025). Integration of artificial intelligence in dentistry: A systematic review of educational and clinical implications. Cureus, 17(2), e79350. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.79350

Saikia, A., Kvist, T., Fawzy, A., & Anthonappa, R. (2025). Artificial intelligence in dentistry: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 26(4), 180. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-025-00458-5

Araidy, S., Batshon, G., & Mirochnik, R. (2025). Artificial intelligence applications in dentistry: A systematic review. Oral, 5(4), 90. https://doi.org/10.3390/oral5040090

Ahmed, N., Abbasi, M. S., Zuberi, F., Qamar, W., Halim, M. S. B., Maqsood, A., & Alam, M. K. (2021). Artificial intelligence techniques: Analysis, application, and outcome in dentistry—A systematic review. BioMed Research International, 2021, 9751564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9751564

Thurzo, A., Urbanová, W., Novák, B., Czako, L., Siebert, T., Stano, P., Mareková, S., Fountoulaki, G., Kosnáčová, H., & Varga, I. (2022). Where is the artificial intelligence applied in dentistry? Systematic review and literature analysis. Healthcare, 10(7), 1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071269

Mahajan, K., Kunte, S. S., Patil, K. V., Shah, P. P., Shah, R. V., & Jajoo, S. S. (2023). Artificial intelligence in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review. Journal of Dental Research and Review, 10(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.4103/jdrr.jdrr_54_22

Khanagar, S. B., Al-Ehaideb, A., Maganur, P. C., Vishwanathaiah, S., Patil, S., Baeshen, H. A., Sarode, S. C., & Bhandi, S. (2021). Developments, application, and performance of artificial intelligence in dentistry—A systematic review. Journal of Dental Sciences, 16(1), 508–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2020.06.019

Bajwa, J., Munir, U., Nori, A., & Williams, B. (2021). Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Transforming the practice of medicine. Future Healthcare Journal, 8(2), e188–e194. https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0095

Li, H., Chen, S., Chang, B., Wang, X., He, Y., Xu, B., Sun, G., Yang, C., Li, G., & Li, S. (2026). Application of artificial intelligence in oral health management: Challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Medicine, 13, 1700529. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1700529

Hosny, A., Parmar, C., Quackenbush, J., Schwartz, L. H., & Aerts, H. J. W. L. (2018). Artificial intelligence in radiology. Nature Reviews Cancer, 18(8), 500–510. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41568-018-0016-5

Alotaibi, S., & Deligianni, E. (2024). AI in oral medicine: Is the future already here? A literature review. British Dental Journal, 237(10), 765–770. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7201-3

Jubair, F., Al-Karadsheh, O., Malamos, D., Al-Mahdi, S., Saad, Y., & Hassona, Y. (2021). A novel lightweight deep convolutional neural network for early detection of oral cancer. Oral Diseases, 28(4), 1123–1130. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.13812

Olawade, D. B., Leena, N., Egbon, E., Rai, J., Mohammed, A. P. E. K., Oladapo, B. I., & Boussios, S. (2025). AI-driven advancements in orthodontics for precision and patient outcomes. Dentistry Journal, 13(5), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13050198

Khanagar, S. B., Al-Ehaideb, A., Vishwanathaiah, S., Maganur, P. C., Patil, S., Naik, S., Baeshen, H. A., & Sarode, S. S. (2021). Scope and performance of artificial intelligence technology in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making—A systematic review. Journal of Dental Sciences, 16(1), 482–492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2020.05.018

Kunz, F., Stellzig-Eisenhauer, A., & Boldt, J. (2023). Applications of artificial intelligence in orthodontics—An overview and perspective based on the current state of the art. Applied Sciences, 13(6), 3850. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063850

Alharbi, N., & Alharbi, A. S. (2024). AI-driven innovations in pediatric dentistry: Enhancing care and improving outcomes. Cureus, 16(9), e69250. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.69250

Karamüftüoğlu, N., Üçpunar, B. Y., Birben, İ., Altundağ, A. E., Mullaoğlu, K. Ö., & Bal, C. (2026). Artificial intelligence in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Children, 13(1), 152. https://doi.org/10.3390/children13010152

Altalhi, A. M., Alharbi, F. S., Alhodaithy, M. A., Almarshedy, B. S., Al-Saaib, M. Y., Al Jfshar, R. M., Aljohani, A. S., Alshareef, A. H., Muhayya, M., & Al-Harbi, N. H. (2023). The impact of artificial intelligence on dental implantology: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(10), e47941. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47941

Revilla-León, M., Gómez-Polo, M., Vyas, S., Barmak, B. A., Gallucci, G. O., Att, W., & Krishnamurthy, V. R. (2023). Artificial intelligence applications in implant dentistry: A systematic review. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 129(2), 293–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.07.023

Duggal, I., & Tripathi, T. (2024). Ethical principles in dental healthcare: Relevance in the current technological era of artificial intelligence. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 14(3), 317–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.02.010

Liu, T. Y., Lee, K. H., Mukundan, A., Karmakar, R., Dhiman, H., & Wang, H. C. (2025). AI in dentistry: Innovations, ethical considerations, and integration barriers. Bioengineering, 12(9), 928. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12090928

Published

2026-03-28

How to Cite

Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews. (2026). Academia Journal of Medicine, 9(1), 102-107. https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.01.23