Revolutionary AI solutions for dentistry
Streamline your workflows, improve efficiency, and ensure smoother daily operations with Planmeca’s advanced AI-powered solutions. Designed with dental professionals in mind, our evidence-based AI tools empower you to focus on what truly matters – providing exceptional patient care – while staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of dentistry.
Artificial intelligence designed for dental professionals
Planmeca leads the way in pioneering artificial intelligence technology for dentistry, making daily work at dental practices more enjoyable and efficient. Backed by rigorous research and a deep understanding of dental workflows, our cutting-edge AI tools improve diagnostic precision, streamline treatment planning, and simplify daily operations – allowing you to dedicate your energy to delivering exceptional patient care with greater confidence and ease. Whether you are optimising treatment planning, simulating treatment outcomes for enhanced patient communication or automating routine tasks, our AI technology helps you work smarter, not harder.
Make artificial intelligence work for you
Many time-consuming tasks in dental practices can be automated with Planmeca’s advanced AI-powered tools. Our AI solutions automatically recognise and segment anatomies in CBCT images, enhance endodontic imaging, generate orthodontic treatment simulations, trace the mandibular canal for implant planning, and identify potential carious lesions in X-ray images – just to name a few examples. By streamlining these processes, our AI technology not only saves you time but also enhances the accuracy and quality of patient assessments and treatment plans. Regardless of the application, our AI technology is specifically designed to complement your expertise, making your daily operations smoother and more efficient.
Effortless access to AI tools
Unlocking the power of artificial intelligence with Planmeca is incredibly straightforward. All our products are built on a platform, allowing you to effortlessly upgrade them to access the latest features and functions. This includes our AI-powered tools, which typically require just a simple software update and a dedicated licence to access their full potential. To make your life even easier, the AI tools of our Planmeca Romexis® imaging software have been designed to work on any Romexis workstation, ensuring you can harness the benefits of AI without hassle.
New standard for your patients
AI-enhanced solutions not only free up your time for more meaningful patient interactions but also position your practice at the forefront of innovation, attracting both new and existing customers. Many patients are already familiar with AI and expect their dentists to utilise the latest technology for their care. By employing Planmeca’s AI-powered tools, you can provide your patients with more effective, efficient, and personalised dental experiences, making their visits to the dentist more positive and reassuring than ever before.
Tried-and-tested AI solutions
Planmeca’s AI solutions are the result of collaboration with leading academic and clinical experts. Through extensive research partnerships with universities and research institutions, our machine learning models and algorithms are trained on real, anonymised clinical data representing diverse ethnicities. Each solution undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent and reliable results. The strong academic foundation and performancebased evidence for our AI tools are documented in scientific publications and validated through peer reviews, giving you the confidence to integrate these proven technologies into your practice.
Ready to experience the power of AI? Contact your local Planmeca distributor to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Get acquainted with this revolutionary approach in our FAQ section below.
What is artificial intelligence?
How is artificial intelligence used in dentistry?
How can dental professionals benefit from artificial intelligence?
Are AI-powered solutions safe to use in dentistry?
What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks and use capabilities usually associated with a human brain, such as reasoning, problem solving, learning, processing information, and recognising or generating language and images. Artificial intelligence enables computer systems to think, learn and make decisions like humans.
AI systems rely on data to learn. Training AI involves feeding it large amounts of data, allowing it to detect patterns based on that data, make predictions, and improve its decision-making over time. This process includes gathering data, training models with algorithms, evaluating performance, and continuously optimising the system to reduce errors and improve accuracy. With each iteration, the AI becomes better at tasks it is trained for.
At the core of AI is machine learning, which allows machines to learn from data without needing explicit programming. Machine learning includes learning from labelled data, discovering hidden patterns, or learning through trial and error. This enables AI to make decisions independently. Modern AI systems often rely on deep learning, a more advanced approach within machine learning, which uses artificial neural networks modelled after the human brain. Deep learning is critical for recognising complex patterns in large datasets and widely used for tasks such as image recognition, speech processing, medical diagnoses, and achieving high accuracy in complex scenarios.
How is artificial intelligence used in dentistry?
AI systems are continually evolving, with new applications emerging across various fields, including dentistry. While some dental professionals might view AI as a future technology, many AI applications are enhancing dental practices already today. These technologies are designed to automate routine tasks, streamline workflows, and improve the efficiency and reliability of various processes, all while supporting the expertise of dental professionals rather than replacing it.
Image enhancement: AI technologies help improve image quality for example by removing noise and enhancing clarity in dental imaging. This results in detailed images that support more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Additionally, AI reduces the need for retakes and minimises unnecessary patient exposures, contributing to a more efficient and patient-friendly workflow.
Segmentations: AI systems can segment and differentiate anatomical structures in CBCT images. This process helps in identifying and isolating specific areas of interest, such as teeth or bone structures, for more accurate assessments and treatment planning.
Dental analyses: AI supports detailed analyses of various dental conditions, such as orthodontic assessments. For example, it can perform established orthodontic analyses by examining and interpreting data from X-rays and intraoral scans to assist dental practitioners and orthodontists in creating customised treatment plans.
Diagnostics: AI tools can assist in the diagnostic process by analysing imaging modalities, such as intraoral and extraoral X-rays, to highlight signs of potential issues, such as carious lesions, tooth decay, widened periodontal ligament, gum disease, and even early signs of oral cancer. These tools complement the expertise of dental professionals, speeding up the process and enhancing accuracy while preserving the essential role of the clinician’s judgment.
Treatment planning: Artificial intelligence contributes to more effective treatment planning, for example by automatically combining various datasets, such as CBCT images and intraoral scans, to provide valuable insights that help dentists design tailored treatment strategies.
Treatment simulation: AI allows simulating different dental treatment scenarios, such as the outcomes of clear aligner treatments. By visualising potential results, dental professionals can better engage patients and support informed decision-making. These simulations also serve as a valuable tool for treatment planning discussions with patients, helping to increase case acceptance.
Practice management: AI-driven software automates routine administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling and billing. Customer service can be facilitated for example with automated text messages on upcoming appointments or with virtual chatbots. This automation improves efficiency, reduces wait times, and provides a more seamless experience for patients.
Ongoing advancements in AI technology promise to bring even more innovations to the field of dentistry. These developments will continue to support and enhance the expertise of dental professionals, helping them deliver exceptional patient care and stay at the forefront of their field.
How can dental professionals benefit from artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is transforming dentistry, offering numerous benefits that enhance both practice workflows and patient care. From automating routine tasks to improving diagnostic accuracy, AI supports dental professionals by boosting usability, efficiency, reliability, and overall treatment quality.
Efficiency: AI helps dental professionals operate more efficiently by automating routine and timeconsuming tasks. For instance, AI can automatically detect and segment anatomies in X-ray images, saving dental professionals from having to perform these tasks manually. This reduces the number of clicks and steps needed to complete procedures, simplifying the workflow and freeing up time for more critical aspects of patient care. As a result, AI helps create a more patient-centred experience where time is better spent discussing treatment options and delivering care, rather than managing administrative or diagnostic tasks.
Quality: AI enhances the quality of dental care by providing dental professionals powerful tools to support treatment planning and reducing the chance for human error. For instance, AI can enhance X-ray images to reveal critical details that might otherwise be missed, contributing to a more accurate diagnosis. Advanced AI algorithms can also analyse images and data quickly to detect signs of oral issues, offering valuable insights to dental professionals who can then use their expertise to interpret the AI’s findings and make the final decision on diagnosis and treatment. By supporting the dentist’s expertise, AI helps improve diagnostic accuracy, leading to more precise and confident treatment decisions—ultimately benefiting both the professional and the patient.
Reliability: AI-powered systems for dentistry are built on extensive research and clinical testing, ensuring their reliability. By automating repetitive tasks and assisting in the analysis of complex data, AI reduces the likelihood of oversights or errors and minimises variability in assessments. For example, AI can help ensure consistent image analysis, identifying potential issues that might be otherwise missed. This consistency supports more reliable treatment outcomes, helping dental professionals make informed decisions and gain more confidence in treatment outcomes.
Case acceptance: AI can enhance patient trust and improve case acceptance for proposed dental treatments. Patients are often familiar with AI from their everyday lives and aware of its potential and benefits, expecting their dentists to use the latest AI technology for accurate insights and to minimise human errors. Studies even suggest patients are more likely to accept a diagnosis or treatment plan when they know AI has aided their dentist. AI can also help simulate various treatment outcomes, providing a valuable tool for discussing and refining treatment plans with patients. This interactive approach allows for adjustments and personalised planning, which not only engages patients but also ensures they are well-informed.
Ultimately, AI technologies are tools designed to complement the expertise of dental professionals by making their daily work easier. AI provides valuable support and insights, but the dentist’s clinical judgment and experience remain central to delivering exceptional care. By integrating AI into their practice, dentists can enhance their workflows and patient interactions while maintaining the core focus on patient care and control over the essential decision-making processes, such as diagnosis and treatment planning.
Are AI-powered solutions safe to use in dentistry?
Healthcare technologies are highly regulated to ensure the safety of both users and patients in every situation, and this extends to AI. Unlike AI-based chat engines that may generate unreliable outputs (often called “hallucinations”), AI for medical and dental purposes must meet much higher standards in terms of both user expectations and regulatory approvals.
The good news for dental professionals is that AI solutions must undergo the same rigorous approval process as all other dental technologies before entering the market. The European Union and countries like the United States, China and the United Kingdom each have their own legislation for validating AI algorithms. To receive the necessary approvals, these solutions must be evidence-based and clinically proven.
One key aspect of health technology validation is ensuring AI performs reliably across different ethnicities, requiring diverse and conclusive clinical data during development. This level of scrutiny helps ensure that AI solutions are safe, effective, and trustworthy. Beyond technical performance, considerations such as the AI’s impact on data security are also evaluated. AI software in the dental field must comply with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA, to ensure the highest standards of data protection and confidentiality.
For added peace of mind, dental professionals can refer to scientific publications detailing the AI technology they are considering, along with information on its regulatory approvals.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that AI is simply a tool to enhance dental workflows, much like a dental instrument or an X-ray machine. The final decisions always rest with the dentist, ensuring that human expertise remains at the heart of patient care.