TRENDS TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT ORAL LESIONS

Abstract

Introduction: Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) carry a variable risk of transformation into oral cancer, requiring increasingly precise and early diagnostic methods. Objective: To examine technological innovations in the diagnosis of OPMDs, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), optical methods, and salivary biomarkers. Methodology: A qualitative and descriptive literature review conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciELO databases (2021-2026), selecting 21 articles addressing the accuracy and feasibility of new technologies. Results: AI demonstrates sensitivity exceeding 90% in image analysis, while Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Raman Spectroscopy allow for non-invasive optical biopsies. Salivary biomarkers (microRNAs) emerge as effective tools for molecular monitoring. Discussion: Although these technologies are promising and reduce clinical subjectivity, challenges such as high costs and lack of standardized protocols still limit large-scale implementation. Conclusion: The future of OPMD diagnosis lies in technological multimodality. Integrating these tools with the dentist's clinical judgment is essential to increasing early diagnosis rates and patient survival.