Australian study finds AI-backed dental scanner matches visual exams for early childhood decay

Australian researchers report that a wireless intraoral scanner resembling an enlarged electric toothbrush, paired with AI-assisted software, can identify early childhood tooth decay as accurately as standard visual exams.

The study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne, evaluated 216 five-year-olds from the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR). Researchers compared conventional chairside dental examinations with assessments using 3D digital models generated by the scanner.

Published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, the study found that 38 per cent of children showed signs of dental decay and 18 per cent had enamel defects on both visual and digital scans, indicating strong diagnostic agreement between the two methods. Early childhood tooth decay (early childhood caries, ECC) remains one of the most common chronic conditions in children worldwide.

The findings build on a July 2025 review of 21 studies, conducted between 2014 and 2024, which suggested that AI — particularly deep learning algorithms — shows strong potential for detecting and predicting ECC, while stressing that more work is needed before routine clinical use in paediatric dentistry.

Related: ECC: Beyond detection—Recognizing the broader context

‘Captures thousands of images’

MCRI researcher Dr Bree Jones said the team found the digital technology was just as precise at detecting early signs of dental damage as visual check-ups and could complement current tools.

“Intraoral scanners capture thousands of images of the teeth, which AI stitches into a 3D model of the mouth – like assembling a jigsaw puzzle to reveal the whole picture,” Jones said.

Related: Low maternal vitamin D tied to early childhood cavities — large Chinese cohort finds link

Associate Professor Mihiri Silva, a clinician scientist fellow at MCRI and director of graduate research and interim director of research at the Melbourne Dental School, said baby teeth are critical markers of overall health. “It’s crucial to examine baby teeth as they are a key predicator of future health outcomes,” she said. “Visual examinations are the gold standard in dental care but we need to find new ways to better detect tooth decay as soon as early signs of decay occur. We wanted to test this 3D technology in children because digital images can open up more tools to prevent decay and monitor changes in plaque buildup.”

Silva, who leads Infant2Child, a long-term study focused on the first 2,000 days of life, added that earlier prevention could help children “establish good habits” and ultimately save money for families and the health system.

The 3D imagery for the study was captured using the TRIOS 4 intraoral scanner (IOS) from developer and manufacturer 3Shape.