Is it possible for a robotic arm to finish crown placements in 15 minutes using AI? The answer is ‘Yes,’ according to Boston-headquartered company Perceptive.
Perceptive announced the completion of the world’s first fully automated dental procedure on a human using its advanced robotic dentistry system, in a press release on Tuesday, July 30.
“This medical breakthrough enhances the precision and efficiency of dental procedures, and democratizes access to better dental care, for improved patient experience and clinical outcomes,” says Dr. Chris Ciriello, CEO and Founder of Perceptive.
So, how does it work?
Starting with restorative dentistry, the company’s dental robotics system integrates AI-driven 3D imaging software with a robotic arm designed to perform dental procedures. The proprietary system aims to complete tasks such as crown placements in just 15 minutes, a major reduction from the current method that requires two office visits of at least one hour each.
Perceptive’s AI robotics system also uses 3D volumetric data for diagnostics and treatment planning, enabling early and highly accurate diagnoses.
And how does the procedure begin?
The procedure begins with an optical coherence tomography (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. Patients can clearly visualize their dental conditions through these detailed images, helping them better understand their need for care.
Idea Born in Rural Canada
Dr. Ciriello, born and raised in Canada, expressed his interest in advancing the scalability of this breakthrough. After completing dental school, Ciriello noticed that there weren’t enough dentists in the area to treat all available patients. In response, he built his own Dental Support Organization (DSO). However, early into scaling his DSO, he was again confronted with more patients than he could treat. He realized that if he wanted to reach more patients, he would need to find a solution with technology.
“I’ve 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, a leading integrated dental and medical support organization with more than 1,000 offices across the U.S. “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,” he added.
Perceptive 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. The company is also partnered with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the American Dental Association’s Forsyth Institute.
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