Introduction

Dental caries (tooth decay) remains one of the most prevalent global health issues. While traditional diagnostic methods rely on visual inspection and basic 2D radiographs, early-stage caries often go undetected until damage progresses significantly.

This case study highlights how Nidaan Dental AI, powered by its 40-year archive of annotated CBCT and OPG scans, enabled AI-driven early caries detection that prevented invasive treatment and improved long-term patient health.

The Clinical Challenge

 Patient Presentation

A 27-year-old patient visited for mild discomfort in the molar but showed no visible cavities during clinical examination. Traditional bitewing X-rays failed to reveal any significant findings.

 Potential Risks

Without identification of early decay, the patient risked progression into deep caries requiring root canal treatment or potential tooth loss.

How Nidaan AI Was Applied

 Step 1 – Digital Radiology Capture

A high-resolution digital OPG scan was acquired at Nidaan. Unlike traditional X-rays, it provided broader coverage but still required deep review to catch subtle lesions.

 Step 2 – AI-Based Scan Analysis

Using Nidaan’s AI annotation platform, the scan was analyzed against a dataset of thousands of documented caries patterns. Machine learning algorithms flagged a subtle radiolucency area.

 Step 3 – Radiologist Correlation

Nidaan radiologists validated the AI prediction, confirming the presence of incipient caries lesions invisible to the dentist’s naked eye or conventional 2D methods.

Outcome of AI-Enhanced Diagnosis

 Preventive Treatment

• Patient received minimally invasive restorative therapy instead of a root canal.
• Disease progression was halted at an early stage.

 Broader Value

• Dentist improved patient trust through accurate diagnosis.
• AI reduced diagnostic variability and guesswork.

Dentist’s Perspective

“Without AI-enhanced radiology, this caries lesion would’ve been invisible at this stage. Nidaan’s AI not only flagged it but improved my ability to provide conservative care — that’s the true value of AI in dentistry.”

Conclusion

This case demonstrates how AI in dental radiology enables early, accurate caries detection, which is otherwise missed in traditional scans. For dentists and patients, Nidaan AI is transforming prevention into a reality.

Mini-FAQs (SEO-rich)

Q1. How does AI detect caries better than X-rays?
AI detects subtle radiolucencies using pattern recognition across thousands of annotated scans, catching early decay unseen in 2D views.

Q2. Why is early caries detection important?
It prevents progression to advanced disease, saving patients from complex procedures like root canals or extractions.