Computer-aided heuristics in orthodontics.

Introduction: During the decision-making process, physicians rely on heuristics that consist of simple, useful procedures for solving problems, intuitive shortcuts that produce reliable decisions based on limited information. In clinical situations characterized by a high degree of uncertainty such as those encountered in orthodontics, cognitive biases and judgment errors related to heuristics are not uncommon. This study aimed at promoting trust in the effective interface between the intuitive reasoning of the orthodontic practitioner and the computational heuristics emerging from simple statistical models.

Methods: We propose an integrative model based on the interaction between clinical reasoning and 2 computational tools, cluster analysis and fast-and-frugal trees, to extract a structured craniofacial representation of untreated subjects with Class III malocclusion and to forecast the worsening of the malocclusion over time.

Results: Cluster analysis of cephalometric values from 144 growing subjects with Class III malocclusion followed longitudinally (T1: mean age, 10.2 ± 1.9 years; T2: mean age, 13.8 ± 2.7 years) produced 3 morphologic subgroups with predominant sagittal, vertical, and slight maxillomandibular imbalances. Fast-and-frugal trees applied to different subgroups extracted heuristics that improved the prediction of key features associated with adverse craniofacial growth.

Conclusions: Provided that cephalometric values are placed in the appropriate framework, the matching between simple and fast computational approaches and clinical reasoning could help the intuitive logic, perception, and cognitive inferences of orthodontic practitioners on the outcome of patients affected by Class III disharmony, decreasing errors associated with flawed judgments and improving the accuracy of decision making.