US-based artificial intelligence (AI) company Perceptive has announced that it completed the world’s first fully automated dental procedure on a human using its advanced robotic dentistry system.
The Perceptive dental robotics system integrates AI-driven 3D imaging software with a robotic arm designed to perform dental procedures, starting with restorative dentistry, with unparalleled speed and precision, the company said.
“This medical breakthrough enhances precision and efficiency of dental procedures, and democratizes access to better dental care, for improved patient experience and clinical outcomes. We look forward to advancing our system and pioneering scalable, fully automated dental healthcare solutions for patients,” said Dr. Chris Ciriello, CEO and Founder of Perceptive.
The company’s robotics system uses 3D volumetric data for diagnostics and treatment planning, enabling early and highly accurate diagnoses.
The procedure begins with an optical coherence technology (OCT) scan of the patient’s tooth and mouth using Perceptive’s handheld intraoral scanner. This advanced scanner captures 3D images beneath the gum line, through fluids and under the tooth surface, offering unparalleled imaging capabilities, the company explained.
In addition, the system uses Perceptive’s AI algorithms to analyse the 3D data and plan the procedure with efficiency and high precision.
According to German Galluicci, DMD, PhD, Chairman of Restorative Dentistry at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Perceptive’s technology achieves more than a 90 per cent accuracy rate for detecting caries without the ionizing radiation associated with traditional X-rays and CBCT scanners – a significant improvement over the approximately 40 per cent accuracy of 2D X-rays.
“This ensures safer and more precise diagnoses, enhancing patient care and safety,” he added.
The AI firm has raised $30 million in funding to date, with leading investors, including PDS Health, Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, Innospark Ventures, KdT Ventures, Primavera Capital, Plaisance Capital, Y Combinator, and others.