TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL LESIONS

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) traditionally relies on clinical acuity and biopsy, methods that have limitations in the early detection of subtle changes. Objective: To analyze the main technological trends and innovations applied to the diagnosis of OPMDs, focusing on non-invasive methods, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomarkers. Methodology: A literature review based on 15 scientific articles selected between 2021 and 2026 from PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases. The analysis prioritized emerging technologies and their diagnostic efficacy. Results: Advanced imaging techniques (OCT, Raman spectroscopy) and AI models demonstrate high sensitivity in identifying microscopic changes. Salivary biomarkers emerge as promising tools for non-invasive screening. Discussion: Despite their disruptive potential, these technologies face challenges such as standardization, high costs, and the need for large-scale clinical validation to move beyond their experimental nature. Conclusion: The integration of multiple technological tools (multimodal approach) associated with AI represents the future of stomatology, aiming for more precise diagnoses and the reduction of oral cancer morbidity and mortality.