Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare—and dentistry is no exception. With tools that enhance diagnostics, streamline workflows, and improve patient communication, dental AI is rapidly gaining traction in practices across the country.
But as AI grows in capability, one common question emerges: Will AI take over dentistry?
The short answer: No. The better question is: How will AI support dentists in delivering better care?
Let’s explore what dental AI can (and can’t) do—and how platforms like Overjet are empowering providers, not replacing them.
Explore Overjet's Dental AI
What Dental AI Can—and Can’t—Do
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how dental care is delivered, but it's important to understand its capabilities—and its limits. AI in dentistry serves as a powerful tool to support clinical workflows, not to replace the expertise of dental professionals.
What Dental AI Does Well:
Detects caries and bone loss: Using radiographs, AI platforms like Overjet can identify areas of decay and measure bone levels with precision.
Provides real-time visual overlays: AI highlights problem areas directly on the image, making it easier for providers to diagnose and for patients to understand.
Standardizes diagnostics: AI delivers consistent, objective results across providers, reducing variability and ensuring high standards of care.
Automates clinical documentation: AI can generate annotated visuals and quantifiable findings that support insurance submissions and reduce administrative workload.
What Dental AI Can’t Do:
Perform clinical procedures: AI can’t clean teeth, prep cavities, or place restorations—these tasks still require skilled hands.
Replace clinical judgment: While AI provides guidance, the final decision-making and treatment planning remain in the hands of the dentist.
Build human connections: Empathy, trust, and patient communication are essential components of care that AI cannot replicate.
In short, dental AI enhances the work of clinicians by making diagnostics faster, more accurate, and easier to communicate. It's a digital partner that helps teams operate more efficiently—without replacing the human element that makes dental care truly effective.
The Role of the Dentist in an AI-Enhanced Practice
Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace dentists—it’s here to empower them. In an AI-enhanced dental practice, the dentist’s role becomes even more critical, as technology supports clinical decisions and improves efficiency without taking the human element out of care.
With advanced platforms like Overjet, dentists gain a powerful toolset that enhances, rather than replaces, their expertise. Overjet’s FDA-cleared AI analyzes radiographs in real time, detecting caries and measuring bone levels with consistent, data-driven accuracy. This allows providers to diagnose more confidently, knowing their assessments are backed by objective insights.
Key benefits for dentists in AI-supported environments include:
More accurate diagnoses: AI helps spot subtle issues—like early decay or bone loss—that may be missed in traditional workflows.
Clearer communication: Color-coded overlays turn X-rays into simple, visual explanations that patients can easily understand.
Time savings: Automated documentation and AI-supported insights reduce time spent on admin, freeing up more time for patient interaction.
Consistency across teams: In group practices or DSOs, AI helps standardize care delivery regardless of provider or location.
Ultimately, AI acts as a clinical co-pilot—supporting dentists at every step, improving the patient experience, and enabling higher-quality care. It enhances what providers already do best: diagnosing accurately, communicating clearly, and delivering care with compassion.
How Overjet Uses AI to Elevate Dental Care
Overjet is transforming dental practices by bringing advanced artificial intelligence directly into clinical workflows. As the first and only dental AI platform FDA-cleared for both caries detection and bone level measurement, Overjet is a trusted partner for top DSOs, private practices, and dental schools across the country.
What sets Overjet apart is its ability to deliver real-time, actionable insights that improve both the patient experience and practice performance.
Key Benefits of Overjet’s AI-Powered Platform:
Instant Radiograph Analysis: AI detects decay and bone loss during patient visits—no need to wait or second-guess.
Color-Coded Overlays: Findings are highlighted directly on dental X-rays, making it easier for patients to see and understand their condition.
Seamless System Integration: Overjet works with leading imaging software and practice management systems, so there’s no disruption to your existing workflow.
Actionable Clinical and Financial Insights: From improving diagnostic accuracy to supporting insurance documentation, Overjet helps optimize every aspect of care delivery.
Results Practices Are Seeing with Overjet:
A 10–20% increase in case acceptance, driven by clearer communication and improved patient trust.
More consistent diagnostics across providers, helping group practices and DSOs maintain quality standards.
Fewer insurance denials, thanks to AI-supported documentation that meets payer requirements.
By combining cutting-edge technology with clinical insight, Overjet helps practices deliver smarter, faster, and more effective dental care.
Myths vs. Facts: AI in Dentistry
As dental AI technology becomes more widely adopted, several dental AI myths have emerged—creating confusion about what AI can and cannot do. Let’s set the record straight by exploring the most common misconceptions.
Myth 1: AI will replace dentists. Fact:
AI is not a substitute for skilled dental professionals. It enhances diagnostic accuracy by analyzing radiographs and highlighting areas of concern in real time. However, it cannot perform clinical procedures, make judgment calls, or build the trust and relationships that only human providers can.
Myth 2: AI is too complicated to implement. Fact:
Platforms like Overjet are designed with dental teams in mind. Overjet integrates seamlessly with major imaging and practice management systems, making adoption smooth and disruption-free. Its intuitive interface and onboarding support ensure that both solo practices and DSOs can start benefiting from AI quickly.
Myth 3: AI removes the human touch from care. Fact:
On the contrary, AI improves communication between providers and patients. Overjet’s visual overlays make it easier for patients to understand their condition, which builds transparency and strengthens trust. Instead of replacing human interaction, AI enables more meaningful, informed conversations.
Bottom Line:
AI in dentistry is a powerful tool—not a replacement. It supports providers in delivering faster, more accurate, and more patient-friendly care while preserving the personal connection at the heart of every great dental practice.
The Future of Dentistry with AI
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a transformative force in dentistry, reshaping how care is diagnosed, delivered, and managed. What once felt like a futuristic concept is now a practical tool used daily in progressive dental practices.
Today’s AI platforms—like Overjet—are already being leveraged to:
Detect issues earlier: Real-time analysis of radiographs helps identify caries and bone loss at earlier stages, improving outcomes and reducing the need for invasive procedures.
Present treatment more effectively: AI-generated, color-coded overlays simplify complex diagnostics, helping patients understand their conditions and treatment options with greater clarity.
Document care more accurately: Automated insights and consistent diagnostic criteria improve documentation for claims, audits, and clinical reviews.
Scale operations with confidence: Multi-site practices and DSOs benefit from standardized diagnostics and performance dashboards that ensure quality care across providers and locations.
As diagnostic technology continues to advance, practices that embrace AI will have a competitive edge. They’ll be able to offer more precise, personalized care while improving operational efficiency and profitability.
The future of dentistry is not about replacing the provider—it’s about empowering them. With Overjet, dental teams gain tools that enhance their expertise, streamline workflows, and deliver a superior patient experience. Practices that adopt AI now are setting the foundation for long-term growth and leadership in a rapidly evolving dental landscape.
Empowering Dentists—Not Replacing Them
Dental AI is not here to replace dentists. It’s here to empower them—helping practices deliver higher-quality care, operate more efficiently, and build stronger patient relationships.
With Overjet, you’re not automating care—you’re optimizing it.
Ready to future-proof your dental practice? Schedule a demo with Overjet and discover how AI can help you work smarter—not harder.
Ready to see Overjet's Dental AI in Action?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will AI replace dental professionals?
No. AI assists dentists by supporting diagnostics and documentation, but human expertise and care are still essential.
2. Is dental AI safe and reliable?
Yes. Overjet is FDA-cleared and clinically validated, offering proven accuracy and consistency.
3. How does Overjet improve the patient experience?
Overjet uses visual overlays and real-time analysis to make diagnoses easier for patients to understand, building trust and increasing case acceptance.
4. Is Overjet easy to integrate into my practice?
Yes. Overjet integrates with major imaging and practice management systems and includes full onboarding and support.
5. How does Overjet impact ROI?
Practices using Overjet see higher production, fewer denied claims, and stronger patient communication—delivering a clear return on investment.
