Evaluation of the impact of AI-based chatbot on orthodontic patient education: a preliminary randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of AI-based chatbots on orthodontic patient education in terms of compliance with oral hygiene procedures and level of knowledge and understanding of the treatment recommendations received. Furthermore, to assess the patient's satisfaction with the information received. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 orthodontic patients were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive information leaflets (control group n = 50) or access to an AI-based chatbot created on the guidelines of the leading scientific societies in the field (n = 50). The plaque index (PI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 5 weeks of treatment (T1). A questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to evaluate patients' knowledge and satisfaction. Statistical investigations were conducted to perform intra- and inter-group evaluations and to compare the effects of orthodontic therapies on the independent variables analysed. The questionnaire' s reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: At T1, a statistically significant increase in MGI and PI was observed in both analyzed groups (P < 0,001). However, the increase in MGI in the chatbot group was statistically lower than in the control group (P < 0.001). The increase in MGI was significantly higher in the chatbot-fixed orthodontic treatment subgroup than in the chatbot-aligners subgroup (P < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of AI-based chatbots, whose reliability of the information provided can be validated, positively influences orthodontic oral hygiene in orthodontic patients. Further studies with greater follow-up should be conducted to understand the real impact of AI-based chatbot on patient education and satisfaction.