Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Techniques, Clinical Applications, and Performance Outcomes

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is catalyzing a fundamental paradigm shift across healthcare, moving the practice of medicine from a discipline of generalized principles to one of data-driven precision and personalization.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> AI, defined as the simulation of human intelligence in machines, encompasses a suite of technologies that enable systems to learn from experience, understand complex data, and perform tasks that traditionally require human cognition.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">3</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> In medicine, these capabilities are being harnessed to analyze vast and heterogeneous datasets&mdash;from medical imaging and genomic sequences to electronic health records&mdash;thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment planning, and streamlining administrative workflows.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This technological revolution is not merely an incremental improvement of existing tools but represents a transformative force that promises to improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and augment the capabilities of human practitioners.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">3</span>