Perceptive, a company in AI-driven automated dental technology, has announced the completion of what is said to be the world’s first fully automated dental procedure on a human using its advanced robotic dentistry system.
This milestone reportedly marks a significant leap forward in dental care, integrating advanced imaging, AI, and robotics to set a new standard of care in dentistry, according to the company.
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 proprietary system aims to complete tasks such as crown placements in just 15mins, a major reduction from the current method that requires two office visits of at least one hour each.
“We are excited to successfully complete the world’s first fully automated robotic dental procedure,” said Dr Chris Ciriello, CEO and Founder of Perceptive. “This medical breakthrough enhances precision and efficiency of dental procedures, and democratises 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.”
According to Perceptive, its AI 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 great imaging capabilities. Patients can clearly visualise their dental conditions through these detailed images, helping them better understand their need for care, according to the company.
The system then uses Perceptive’s AI algorithms to analyse the 3D data and plan the procedure with efficiency and high precision. By automating these procedures, Perceptive is said to enable dentists to diagnose and treat more patients with higher quality care in less time, reducing the need for manual labour and minimising the chances of human error.
“I have been closely tracking Perceptive’s progress since seeing Dr Ciriello present his concept at the ADA Forsyth dentech conference years ago,” said Stephen E Thorne IV, founder and CEO of PDS Health, an integrated dental and medical support organisation. “I have seen the promise of Perceptive’s incredible technology firsthand. We are excited to help them operationalize their vision of fully completed dental restorations in minutes.”
Through revolutionary breakthroughs in imaging, AI, and robotics, Perceptive aims to redefine the future of dentistry. Perceptive’s dental robotics system and intraoral scanner are currently under development and the company is partnered with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and American Dental Association’s Forsyth Institute.
Perceptive has also raised US$30m 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.
German Galluicci, DMD, PhD, chairman of Restorative Dentistry at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, added: “Perceptive’s technology achieves over a 90% accuracy rate for detecting caries without the ionizing radiation associated with traditional X-rays and CBCT scanners — a significant improvement over the approximately 40% accuracy of 2D X-rays. This ensures safer and more precise diagnoses, enhancing patient care and safety.”
“The robotics system has been designed and rigorously tested to ensure that dentists can perform treatments safely, even in conditions where patient movement is prevalent,” said Edward Zuckerberg, DDS, FAGD. “This commitment to safety is core to Perceptive’s dedication to providing reliable and effective dental care solutions using state-of-the art technology.”
Related: Dental robotics firm Neocis secures US$20m in additional funding