Prof. Tom Braekeleirs

The Why, The Wow and the Well of AI in Healthcare

The fact that AI will be a crucial building block for the future of healthcare is stating the obvious. However, we need to be aware of the possibilities, but also of the limitations and what AI can mean in concrete terms. If it is not at the service of patients and healthcare providers, we can seriously question its effectiveness. In other words, how can we make sure we don’t miss out on the impact of AI in healthcare? Answer: By making AI acceptable. In this keynote, Tom Braekeleirs takes a closer look at AI, beyond the hype. A story about the Why, Wow and Well of AI in Healthcare.

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Prof. Dr. Ruben Pauwels

Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: Current State and Challenges

In this lecture, Prof. Pauwels will discuss recent innovations in radiological imaging of the orofacial region, including the development of AI-assisted methods for image quality assessment and diagnostic support. Drawing on scientific evidence and clinical examples, he will illustrate how emerging technologies can promote a more selective use of radiological techniques, enhance differential diagnosis, and further reduce patient radiation exposure.

The presentation offers participants a scientifically grounded perspective on how modern imaging—combined with artificial intelligence—can optimize the balance between diagnostic value and radiation protection, fully in line with the ALARA principle and current European guidelines on radiation safety in dentistry.

Dr. Mathieu Rousset

The Contribution of Artificial Intelligence to the Digital Implant Workflow

While digital workflows were first developed to optimize implant planning, many of the underlying innovations have profoundly advanced radiological imaging of the orofacial region. This lecture focuses on how artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to the interpretation, quality control, and selective use of imaging modalities such as cone-beam CT (CBCT) and intraoral optical scans, enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

Dr. Rousset will explore how AI-driven tools are transforming the radiological analysis process — including automatic anatomical segmentation, detection of radiological landmarks, bone density and morphology assessment, and early identification of pathology. These applications allow for more reliable differential diagnosis and support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate imaging technique for each clinical situation.

The presentation also highlights the importance of radiation protection and dose optimization in AI-assisted workflows, emphasizing adherence to the ALARA principle (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”) and current European radiation safety guidelines. By automating repetitive analytical tasks, AI can improve consistency and diagnostic reproducibility, but it also raises new questions about clinical oversight and interpretive responsibility.

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Dr. Fréderic Van der Cruyssen

Beyond Human Hands and Brains: AI and Innovation in Nerve Injuries and Implant Dentistry

Dental implant placement has become a routine procedure, yet nerve injuries remain rare but debilitating complications often confusing patients and clinicians on the best next steps.

We will discuss recent advancements in risk stratification, nerve imaging and management of these injuries within an evidence-based approach. Results from our recent multicenter clinical study as well as the integration of AI tools into our practice will be demonstrated.

The goal of this lecture is to demonstrate how innovation and AI do not replace the surgeon but rather enhance clinical expertise, opening new perspectives for prediction, planning, and treatment.

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Lth. Stijn Van Aelst

Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Dental Workflow: From Virtual Patient to Clinical Application

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming clinical dentistry, offering new opportunities in diagnosis, treatment planning, and implantology. This lecture explores the evolution of the virtual patient, where AI-based segmentation and the integration of cone-beam CT (CBCT) data with intraoral and facial scans provide a detailed three-dimensional understanding of dental and periodontal anatomy.

A key focus will be the application of AI in implant planning, enabling accurate and consistent determination of implant position, angulation, and dimensions while taking into account bone morphology and anatomical constraints. The lecture will also highlight how AI supports diagnosis and decision-making in oral pathology and surgical dentistry, contributing to safer, more predictable clinical outcomes.

In addition, the potential of AI-assisted virtual crown and prosthetic design will be discussed, emphasizing gains in workflow efficiency, anatomical precision, and communication between restorative and surgical teams.

By addressing both the strengths and limitations of these technologies, this session offers a balanced and evidence-based overview of how AI can enhance diagnostic accuracy, surgical precision, and treatment predictability across oral pathology, periodontology, and implant dentistry.

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