Diagnostic Support in Dentistry Through Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into dental diagnostics is rapidly evolving, offering opportunities to improve diagnostic precision, reproducibility, and accessibility of care. This systematic review examined the clinical performance of AI-based diagnostic tools in dentistry compared with traditional methods, with particular attention to radiographic assessment, orthodontic classification, periodontal disease detection, and other relevant specialties. Methods Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were carried out for articles published from January 2015 to June 2025, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Only English-language clinical studies investigating AI applications in dental diagnostics were included. Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and underwent quality appraisal and risk-of-bias assessment. Results Across diverse dental fields, AI systems showed encouraging diagnostic capabilities. Radiographic algorithms enhanced lesion detection and anatomical landmark identification, while machine learning models successfully classified malocclusions and periodontal status. Photographic image analysis demonstrated potential in geriatric and preventive care. However, methodological variability, limited sample sizes, and the absence of external validation constrained generalizability. Study quality ranged from high to moderate, with some reports affected by bias or incomplete data reporting. Conclusions AI holds considerable promise as an adjunct in dental diagnostics, particularly for imaging-based evaluation and clinical decision support. Broader clinical adoption will require methodological harmonization, rigorous multicenter trials, and validation of AI systems across diverse patient populations.