The dental industry has witnessed a historic moment as an AI-controlled robotic system completed the world’s first dental procedure, operating at approximately eight times the speed of human dentists.
Manufactured by Boston-based company Perceptive, this AI robot utilizes a handheld 3D volumetric scanner to create detailed three-dimensional models of the oral cavity through optical coherence tomography (OCT). These models encompass teeth, gums, and even nerves beneath the tooth surface. OCT employs light beams to construct high-resolution volumetric models, automatically detecting cavities with an accuracy of about 90%, all while avoiding harmful X-ray radiation.
The first procedure performed by this AI robot was crown preparation: local anesthesia is administered to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue for optimal comfort. The original tooth is then trimmed to make sufficient space for the crown, preserving the integrity of the tooth structure. Typically, this process requires 1-2 hours and is often split into two appointments for human dentists, whereas the AI robot can complete it in under 15 minutes.
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