Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming clinical dentistry, especially in the field of diagnosis. Recent research has demonstrated that deep learning systems can analyze intraoral photographs and automatically detect dental caries while identifying the exact tooth number in the same image. This approach reflects real clinical scenarios where multiple teeth appear in one photograph, making the technology more practical for daily dental practice. Instead of analyzing isolated teeth, the system evaluates full intraoral images and locates suspicious lesions directly within the mouth context.

In a study, researchers trained an artificial intelligence model using more than 24,000 intraoral images taken from different clinical views such as frontal, occlusal, and lateral perspectives. Each image was carefully annotated by trained professionals who labeled tooth numbers and caries stages. The model was able to recognize tooth numbers with a high precision score of 0.880, while caries detection achieved a precision score of 0.769, demonstrating promising diagnostic reliability in clinical settings.

From a clinical perspective, the system showed strong performance in identifying advanced carious lesions, which typically present with clearer structural changes. These severe lesions reached detection accuracy levels close to 0.89, while early-stage lesions were more difficult to detect due to their subtle visual features. The ability of the system to identify the exact tooth affected by caries is particularly important for treatment planning, documentation, and monitoring disease progression during follow-up visits.

For dentists, this technology represents a powerful clinical support tool rather than a replacement for professional judgment. AI-based analysis can assist practitioners in screening intraoral images, highlighting suspicious areas, and improving diagnostic efficiency in busy clinical environments. As datasets grow and algorithms improve, artificial intelligence may soon become a routine part of digital dentistry, helping clinicians achieve more accurate diagnoses and better clinical outcomes for their patients.