For many people, sitting back in the dentist’s chair can already be a terrifying experience.
But now a trip to the dentist could get a whole lot scarier as an AI-powered robot completes its first unsupervised procedure on a live human.
The robot, developed by US-based company Perspective, successfully carried out a crown replacement in just 15 minutes – eight times faster than a human specialist.
To carry out the procedure, the patient’s mouth was first mapped with a 3D scanner before an AI planned and carried out the operation autonomously.
Dr Chris Ciriello, CEO and founder of Perceptive, says: ‘This medical breakthrough enhances precision and efficiency of dental procedures, and democratizes access to better dental care, for improved patient experience and clinical outcomes.’
Crown replacements are dental operations which repair weakened and decayed parts of the tooth with artificial material.
Normally, this would require two visits to the dentist each lasting around an hour to remove the old crown and fit the replacement.
However, Perspective says that its AI-powered bot is able to bring this process down to just 15 minutes without sacrificing any accuracy or patient safety.
The company has already received $30 million (£23m) in funding to date to develop its technology, with investors including Mark Zuckerberg’s father, the dentist Dr Edward Zuckerberg.
First, a human assistant creates a 3D model of the patient’s mouth using a handheld scanner that detects the fluid within the teeth to look below the gum line. According to Perspective, this technique has a 90 percent accuracy rate for spotting cavities and other erosion.
An added bonus is that the scanner does not expose the patient to any of the ionising radiation created by traditional X-ray scans.
These scans are then given to the AI which autonomously plans out how to carry out the procedure.
In the video, you can see as Perspective’s robotic dentist drills into the decayed tooth of the volunteer patient, who Perspective did not identify, to make room for the replacement.
By simulating the procedure the clinician can also manufacture the replacement parts before the drilling begins, eliminating the need for a follow-up appointment.
Karim Zaklama, a dentist and member of Perspective clinical advisory board, says: ‘Perceptive’s AI-driven robotic system will transform dentistry.
‘The patient experience will be better because of streamlining procedures and enhancing patient comfort.’
