RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USING THE WEBCEPH PLATFORM IN THE PRACTICE OF AN ORTHODONTIST

Abstract

Problem Statement. The effectiveness of treatment in orthodontics depends on high-quality diagnostics, which presupposes cephalometric analysis of the maxillofacial region; accordingly, AI-based digital tools are used in clinical practice. Contemporary digital instruments such as OneCeph, WebCeph, NemoCeph, and others demonstrate accuracy in cephalometric calculations. Hence, the development of recommendations for using web platforms in the diagnostic-therapeutic workflow of the orthodontist becomes an urgent task.Analysis of recent research and publications. A review of studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, SciELO, LILACS, and in the registers of professional associations (Conselho Federal de Odontologia, Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas) indicates a marked interest among contemporary researchers in the functionality of the WebCeph web platform.The source base presents the advantages and limitations of AI-driven digital tools for cephalometric analysis and compares their functionality in diagnosis and in dental patients’ psychosocial satisfaction.Aim of the study – to develop methodological recommendations for the clinical use of WebCeph in orthodontics based on an analysis of current scientific evidence and the authors’ own practical experience.Presentation of the main material. Analysis and synthesis of recent research findings together with our clinical experience at the “Serhii Tsuperiak Centre for Dental Implantation” (Uzhhorod) attest to the effectiveness of the WebCeph platform’s functionality in orthodontic diagnostics and treatment. In clinical practice, an integrative use of WebCeph is effective: the speed of automatic analysis must be combined with mandatory clinical oversight and manual adjustment.A set of recommendations has been developed and proposed for the practical use of WebCeph in clinical orthodontics. Particular emphasis is placed on handling low-quality images, on employing the platform’s additional features to improve communication with patients, and on leveraging communication venues for ongoing professional development.Conclusions. WebCeph is a digital tool in orthodontics that streamlines diagnostics and accelerates the management of dento-maxillofacial pathologies. It is recommended to combine automatic analysis with manual verification and correction of anatomical landmarks in cases of atypical anomalies or when working with blurred/unclear images. Additional platform functions that enhance outcomes in orthodontic use have been identified, in particular: visual treatment simulation, creation of custom analyses, and cloud data storage.