Artificial intelligence for laser-assisted oral surgery: A narrative review of current trends and future perspectives.

OBJECTIVES

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being explored to optimize the precision, safety, and personalization of laser-assisted oral surgical procedures. While lasers offer significant advantages, their efficacy depends on precise calibration to avoid complications. This narrative review synthesizes the current and emerging applications of AI in enhancing both laser-assisted surgical execution and diagnostic imaging, while addressing the associated challenges.

METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive review of literature was conducted to evaluate the role of AI technologies, including machine learning, neural networks, and robotics, in laser-assisted oral surgery. Emerging trends such as the AI-driven robotic system and AI-enhanced diagnostic tools (e.g., Optical Coherence Tomography, Raman Spectroscopy) were evaluated. The review also examines challenges like fragmented dental data, high costs, clinical validation needs, ethical concerns, and automation bias.

RESULTS

AI technologies demonstrate significant promise in enhancing precision and efficiency. For example, the CARLO® system achieved osteotomy accuracy within 2 mm deviation in 96% of cases in a multicenter study. Diagnostically, AI algorithms improved sensitivity in detecting oral lesions to over 94%, outperforming traditional clinician-based assessment. However, barriers such as high costs, infrastructure requirements, and the need for robust clinical validation remain. Ethical and regulatory uncertainties further complicate adoption.

CONCLUSIONS

AI holds transformative potential in laser-assisted oral surgery, but addressing technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges is crucial. Future research should prioritize large-scale clinical validation, multi-center trials, and comprehensive regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and effective implementation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The integration of AI in laser-assisted oral surgery has the potential to significantly enhance surgical precision, optimize treatment outcomes, and improve overall patient care. Overcoming existing challenges may transform surgical practices, making them more efficient and accessible for clinicians and patients.