The knowledge, experience, and attitude on artificial intelligence-assisted cephalometric analysis: Survey of orthodontists and orthodontic students

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) developed rapidly in orthodontic field and AI-based cephalometric applications have been adopted. This study aimed to assess AI-assisted cephalometric technologies related knowledge, experience and attitude among orthodontists and orthodontic students, describe their subject view of the applications and related technologies in orthodontics and to identify associated factors.Materials and methods: An online cross-sectional survey based on a professional survey tool (www.wjx.cn) was performed from October 11 to 17, 2022. Participants were recruited with purposive and snowball sampling approach. Data was collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multivariable generalized estimating equations.Results: A total of 480 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed. 68.8% of the respondents agreed that AI-based cephalometric applications would replace manual and semi-automatic approaches. Practitioners using AI-assisted applications (87.5%) spent less time in cephalometric analysis than the other groups using other approaches, and 349 (72.7%) respondents considered AI-based applications could assist in obtaining more accurate analysis results. Lectures and training programs (56.0%) were the main sources of respondents’ knowledge about AI. Knowledge level was associated with experience in AI-related clinical or scientific projects (P < 0.001). Most respondents (88.8%) were interested in future AI applications in orthodontic field.Conclusions: Respondents are optimistic about the future of AI in orthodontic field. AI-assisted cephalometric applications were believed to be able to make clinical diagnostic analysis more convenient and straightforward for practitioners, and even replace manual and semi-automaticapproaches. The education and promotion of AI should be strengthened to elevate orthodontists’ understanding