The Whole Tooth: Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry

By Dr. Michelle Aldrich, For The West Side Newspaper

If you grew up watching The Terminator, the name “Skynet” might still spark a little unease about artificial intelligence. While dentistry is a long way from science fiction doomsday scenarios, A.I. is quietly making its way into dental offices — and raising some very real questions along the way.

Today, several A.I. programs are designed to analyze dental X-rays and highlight areas of concern: cavities, bone loss, or other abnormalities. On paper, this sounds like a win for everyone. Dentists gain a second set of “eyes,” and patients can see what’s happening in their mouths. In theory, that transparency helps patients better understand and accept treatment recommendations.

But the reality hasn’t been quite so seamless. Our office has experimented with a couple of these systems. The first one looked promising during the sales process, but after signing the contract, support essentially disappeared. No communication, no functioning program – just frustration. It is a reminder that in the rush to innovate, some companies may outgrow their ability to properly serve customers.

The second system performed better, but not without issues. It did identify potential problems, but it also flagged areas that were perfectly healthy. That is where things get tricky. Dentistry is not just about spotting shadows on an x-ray; it’s about interpreting those findings in the context of a real patient. A.I. can assist, but it cannot replace clinical judgment.

This created a dilemma: how do you show patients an A.I.-enhanced image when you know some of its “findings” are incorrect? Transparency is essential in healthcare. If a tool introduces doubt rather than clarity, it risks undermining trust instead of building it. At times, the technology felt less like a breakthrough and more like an expensive gimmick.

Another concern lies beyond the dental chair. Insurance companies are reportedly using similar A.I. tools to review claims. That raises an important question: if an algorithm denies a claim, who ensures that decision is accurate? Given that insurance companies already operate with cost control in mind, adding A.I. into the mix could complicate matters further for both patients and providers.

None of this is to say that A.I. has no place in dentistry. Like many emerging technologies, it holds real potential. With refinement, it could become a valuable aid and help dentists catch subtle issues earlier and improve patient education.

For now, though, a cautious approach makes sense. Technology should enhance care, not complicate it. Until an A.I. systems become more reliable, consistent, and accountable, the most important diagnostic tool remains unchanged: a trained human being applying experience, judgment, and a commitment to patient trust.

In dentistry, as in many fields, the future may be digital, but it still requires a human touch.

Follow-up on “When Dental Insurance Becomes the Obstacle” published March 2026

Delta Dental ultimately paid the claim in dispute, because the exclusion keeping them from paying the claim was never updated on their website. Their reps could see it at their end, but there was no way we could have known.Persistence on our end eventually paid off! The patient was reimbursed.