Paediatric Dental Tech: Low-Dose CBCT & AI Boost Care for Special Needs Kids
New doctoral research from Malmö University in Sweden marks a significant leap in paediatric dentistry, finding that radiation exposure from dental imaging can be optimized and substantially reduced for children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN), such as those with orofacial clefts (cleft lip and palate).
The study not only successfully developed a safe low-dose Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) protocol but also created a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to improve the precision of surgical planning, underscoring critical advancements in digital dental care.
Minimizing Radiation, Maximizing Dental Quality
Children with complex conditions often require repeated diagnostic imaging throughout their growth, making radiation exposure a paramount concern in paediatric dental care.
Low-Dose CBCT Protocol: Researcher Dr. António Vicente developed and tested a low-dose CBCT protocol specifically for the postoperative assessment of children undergoing treatment for orofacial clefts.
Clinical Adequacy: The research concluded that while higher radiation doses yield technically superior images, the low-dose protocol was judged clinically adequate for crucial dental follow-up assessments. This finding enables dental teams to gather necessary diagnostic information while significantly reducing the radiation burden on young patients.
AI Streamlines Complex Dental Surgery Planning
One of the most impactful applications of the thesis is the development of an AI tool designed to streamline complex dental surgery planning, notably alveolar bone grafting—a common procedure in cleft patient care.
Automated Segmentation: The AI tool was trained on CBCT scans to automatically delineate the cleft area.
Precision and Efficiency: The system accurately estimates the required bone graft volume. According to Dr. Vicente, this ensures that dental operations can be performed with greater precision, ultimately leading to better long-term patient care. This integration of AI reduces workload and improves the consistency of dental preoperative planning.
This research reinforces dentistry’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance the safety and quality of care for its youngest and most vulnerable patients.
Original Article Details
Original Title: Paediatric Dental Tech: Low-Dose CBCT & AI Boost Care for Special Needs Kids
Source: Dental Tribune (Referencing Malmö University Research)
Publication Date: December 3, 2025