Speaker's Highlight
Digital Dentistry meets Data Science-Imaging, Reconstruction and the Role of AI
About the Speaker
Digital imaging and computer-aided treatment planning in oral and maxillofacial surgery are the main focus of Prof. Dr. Tabea Flügge. Since March 2020 she is professor at the Einstein Center Digital Future (ECDF) and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Born in Berlin, she studied dentistry at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and completed her advanced training in oral surgery at the University Hospital in Freiburg. During her specialist dental training, Tabea Flügge already worked at the Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, where she emphasises the cooperation in the reconstruction of complex facial defects. As a result of trauma or malignant diseases, a gradual reconstruction of parts of the facial skull up to the reconstruction of the teeth and the masticatory system is carried out in these cases with the aim of restoring the patient's quality of life by normal speaking and eating.
Abstract
This presentation explores the potential of artificial intelligence to transform intraoral photographs into valuable diagnostic decision-support tools. Routine dental visits offer an underutilized opportunity to identify early signs of both oral and systemic diseases through intraoral examinations and photographs. AI-powered image analysis may facilitate the early identification of suspicious oral mucosal lesions, potentially malignant disorders, and oral cancer. Furthermore, detecting visible signs of periodontal disease and other oral abnormalities may help identify patients at increased risk of systemic conditions, prompting targeted medical screening and referral. By integrating reliable AI-assisted image analysis into routine dental care, early disease detection can be achieved without substantially increasing practitioners’ workload. By linking intraoral findings with patient-specific clinical information and evidence-based recommendations, the gap between dentistry and general medicine is closed, thereby supporting personalized prevention, earlier intervention, and improved patient care.