5 ways AI is on track to reshape dentistry in 2025
The impact of artificial intelligence is reaching nearly every aspect of our world, and dentistry is no exception. From diagnostics to treatment planning, AI is enhancing workflows and patient outcomes in exciting ways.
While some of the most talked about innovations are years from being popular tools in regular practices, some have much shorter time horizons. Below are five key innovations set to redefine the dental landscape in 2025—trends to watch for any dentist looking to stay ahead in the field.
No. 1: AI-driven diagnostics
AI-powered diagnostic tools are helping dentists detect misalignments, cavities, and oral cancer at earlier stages. Algorithms can analyze complex imaging data with impressive accuracy and offer assessments in real time. This has been game-changing for prevention and proactive treatment plans.
A Polish study including 600 dental panoramic radiographs found that AI algorithms analyzing panoramic radiographs achieved accuracy rates comparable to expert clinicians (above 90%) when detecting dental caries and periodontal disease.1 The exception was when identifying endodontic lesions and crowns; the AI had a lower accuracy rate of 65.30%. Taking advantage of these tools can help dentists reduce the risk of oversight and get a valuable second opinion quickly.
No. 2: Predictive analytics for treatment planning
The days of trial and error in orthodontics may be coming to an end soon. The Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences found AI predictive modeling tools to have the potential to improve and predict treatment timelines.2 These models predicted treatment outcomes of orthodontic treatment with an accuracy rate of 73%. Notably, accuracy rates declined in nonstandard and severe cases, underscoring that while these tools show immense promise, they remain a supplement to—rather than a substitute for—the eyes and expertise of a physician.
No. 3: Enhancing efficiency
From automating appointment scheduling to optimizing billing, AI is already reducing administrative burdens. St. Lukes’ Hospital in Oregon had huge success using AI-powered scheduling systems to free up operating room schedules and reduce employee overtime, resulting in a 7% increase in surgeries despite a 20% decrease in OR space.3
This type of machine learning can also be applied to dental and orthodontic surgeries, allowing more procedures to be performed within the existing capacity of available doctors and facilities.
One of the biggest challenges in dentistry is ensuring that patients fully understand their treatment options. Lack of patient education is one of the most common barriers to treatment acceptance, yet clinicians often struggle to find the time to thoroughly explain procedures in detail.
AI-powered patient education assistants are emerging as a solution, helping bridge this gap by providing automated, easy-to-understand explanations of proposed treatments. These tools support clinicians by reinforcing key information outside of chairside consultations, ensuring that patients remain informed and engaged throughout their treatment journey.
By offloading time-consuming educational conversations, AI allows clinicians to focus on patient care while improving treatment acceptance rates.
No. 4: Remote monitoring and tele-orthodontics
In the future, AI could make remote monitoring possible through wearable devices and smart apps. A recent framework introduced by Chinese researchers demonstrates how 3D dental models can be reconstructed from minimal photographic inputs, facilitating remote monitoring of orthodontic treatments.4 Patients would upload photos of their progress, and AI would analyze the images to make sure treatments are on track.
This would reduce the need for frequent in-office visits and highlights the potential for AI to make remote dentistry more convenient while upholding a high quality of care.
No. 5: Personalizing patient experiences
AI can offer tailored education, treatment plans, and support to patients. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are already being used to answer frequently asked questions, provide posttreatment care instructions, and offer personalized recommendations based on a patient’s unique dental profile.
Platforms like Dentulu and Pearl AI have introduced AI-based systems that offer patients real-time insights into their treatment progress and next steps. Personalized care is a great way to make patients feel informed and engaged throughout their orthodontic journey.
By integrating AI into both clinical workflows and patient education, dentistry is shifting toward a more patient-centered model, where individuals feel empowered and engaged in their treatment process rather than overwhelmed or uninformed.
The next generation of AI solutions will not replace dentists, but it will amplify their expertise, allowing them to make more data-driven decisions while educating and empowering their patients. Those who embrace AI-driven advancements today will be the leaders of tomorrow’s digital dentistry landscape.
References
- Turosz N, Chęcińska K, Chęciński M, Sielski M, Sikora M. Evaluation of dental panoramic radiographs by artificial intelligence compared to human reference: a diagnostic accuracy study. J Clin Med. 2024;13(22):6859. doi:10.3390/jcm13226859
- Alam MK, Alanazi DSA, Alruwaili SRF, Alderaan RAI. Assessment of AI models in predicting treatment outcomes in orthodontics. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024;16(Suppl 1):S540-S542. doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_852_23
- Siwicki Bi. AI-powered OR scheduling tech brings big efficiencies for St. Luke’s. Healthcare IT News. November 2, 2022. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ai-powered-or-scheduling-tech-brings-big-efficiencies-st-lukes
- Xu C, Liu Z, Liu Y, et al. TeethDreamer: 3D teeth reconstruction from five intra-oral photographs. arXiv.org. 2024. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.11419
