Why we cannot rely exclusively on protocols, algorithms and artificial intelligence

Dental Class II occlusion

Treatment performed by expansion and coordination of the arches, superior distalization associated with mandibular advancement in a growing patient.

How much to distalize ? How much to expand ? What about the shape of the final arch form ?

How much can the jaw be advanced in forward direction ?

What dental movements can I program simultaneously ? Which ones will be more predictable and which ones will I likely have to correct in the finishing phase ?

How many similar cases do we observe every month in our practice ? How many times have we asked ourselves the same questions ?

Can we apply the same solutions to any similar case ?

Obviously, the answer is NO, each clinical case has its own unique characteristics and requires different methods of managing malocclusion despite the same orthodontic devices being applied if we want to achieve extraordinary results.

Therefore, algorithms, standardized protocols, artificial intelligence are not currently able to replace diagnosis, treatment plan and definition of biomechanics applied to therapy.

There are no new rules, but we need to rewrite old ones in new digital language if we want to take advantage of the new technology.

New tools, same rules.