Application of a case-based expert system to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning: a review of the literature.

Computer expert systems are being utilised increasingly in medical fields to assist diagnosis and treatment planning. Traditional rule-based expert systems have some limitations when applied to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. These limitations may be avoided by using a case-based system which is a particular type of expert system that uses a stored data bank of previously-treated cases to provide the knowledge for solving new treatment problems. This article reviews the use of expert systems for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, outlines the rationale, processes and advantages of case-based systems, and gives examples of the application of this technology in medical fields.