AI won’t replace dentists, but it will replace dental practices that ignore it

My team and I show a lot of practices across North America how to sustainably grow. Some of those practices are start-ups. Some are new acquisitions. Some are dentists positioning to sell in the next two-plus years. As we do that, we focus on building people of character, predictable processes, and kicking the tooth at a time treatment game to production stemming from complete care.

The wise practice in 2025 understands a few things—one of which is there are core technologies some might believe are futuristic that are in reality foundational. Categorically, AI is a definite foundational lane of technology and thus a must to integrate. Let’s dig in.

Diagnostics and imaging: The ultimate second opinion

If you’ve never had a patient come to you for a second opinion, go ahead and stop reading. If you’re like every dentist I’ve ever met, however, understand that AI in the diagnostic/imaging lane is your ultimate second opinion. Whether we like it or not, patients trust us more when we have AI backup. From panoramic radiographs to intraoral scans, AI is a powerful way to build trust—oh, and it just so happens to be warranted.

• Precision analysis: AI software like PearlAI helps us detect decay, bone loss, and even oral cancer with over 90% accuracy. That rivals expert clinicians.
• The data to back it up: One multinational study of over 6,600 panoramic X-rays showed AI identifying periapical radiolucencies with an almost 68% higher sensitivity than humans.¹ Friends, it’s not that our dentistry lasts or doesn’t; it’s that pre-AI, our ability to assess it was limited.

In addition to this, one of the weak links in the clinical chain we see time and time again is lack of calibration between providers. With a little bit of team (and dentist) development, AI helps each of us see what the other sees—i.e., we become consistent in how we diagnose.

Personalized patient care

Take clear aligners in orthodontic therapy. Our ability to scan a patient and show them their posttreatment smile in minutes has entirely transformed both our ability to educate our patients and get to them to say yes to treatment. AI isn’t just about identifying issues; it’s helping us make better choices.

• Orthodontic forecasting: AI models are predicting treatment timelines with approximately 73% accuracy, especially in standard cases.²

Knowing this, savvy practices are identifying targeted clinical uses like clear aligner tracking and maximizing AI to work smarter not harder.

Operations and workflow

There are three controls we bring to every practice we coach: financial, clinical, and systems. Behind every successful practice is a well-oiled operational machine, and it turns out that AI can help us beyond the clinical really, really well.

• Smart scheduling and administration: In the last four months, I’ve been vetting companies that offer us AI team members who answer and call patients and insurance companies. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not a fan of automated press 1 for __, 2 for __, etc. In fact, I hang up on those companies and refuse to do business with them after screaming into my phone. You know, you’ve done it. That said, the AI phone team member is here, and you can teach them to speak any way you like.
• Maintenance of gear: Here’s one I’d honestly never thought of until rising A-dec in Nashville—AI to help me with maintenance of my gear. Sound uneventful? Sure, until you realize you can invest once and have your investment protect itself from the future need to replace it.

I love my people but positioning them where I really want them versus placing them where I don’t need them … wow!  

Wrapping up

I remember my first year in high school when my dad came home with a Texas Instruments computer his team gave him because these computers will be a passing trend. Hmm.

I need you to think about your thoughts on AI today in that light—it’s a strategic imperative, and your effective adoption means balancing today’s promises with ROI-driven prudence. So:

• Assess where the most productive place for you to begin is and get started.
• Develop your team with an augmented decision-making mindset. You’re not replacing them—you’re better positioning them for patient and practice wins.
• Track your outcomes.
• Stay plugged into DentistryIQ and Dental Economics. We’ll continue to do the heavy lifting for you.

When you embrace AI with intention, you’ll elevate the care you deliver, you’ll streamline your processes, and you’ll smile a lot more.

References

1. Wang YCC, Chen TL, Vinayahalingam S, et al. Artificial intelligence to assess dental findings from panoramic radiographs – a multinational study. Cornell University. February 14, 2025. https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10277
2. The future of dental care: what’s new in 2025? Perk Dental. https://www.perkdental.com/future-dental-care-2025