Digital tools can help dentists determine tooth color, analyze images, and predict customized maintenance protocols, but an expert warns that digital precision does not replace the human eye

The digital transformation has already reached the dental office, and it does more than just streamline schedules or organize patient records. With artificial intelligence, intraoral scanners, 3D planning software, and image analysis systems, dentists are changing the way they diagnose, plan, and perform treatments. This trend promises greater precision and predictability, but it also raises an important question: How far can technology go when it comes to healthcare?

For Dr. André Pelegrine, a professor and researcher at São Leopoldo Mandic College, AI has moved beyond being a promise to become a concrete tool. This view is supported by recent studies, such as a descriptive review published in *Bioengineering*, which notes that AI now permeates all disciplines of dentistry, from pediatric dentistry to prosthodontics. It is present, for example, in CAD-CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) software and in modern orthodontic applications, with a direct impact on clinical practice.

One of the most evident advances, according to him, lies in image analysis and color recognition. The scientific article highlights that the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) has taken diagnostic imaging to a new level, enabling the early detection of cavities, periapical lesions, and bone loss with a level of accuracy that often surpasses visual analysis alone. “AI perceives more colors than the human eye, so it can help identify subtle differences in imaging exams, in addition to offering greater precision in determining the appropriate shade for teeth,” the professor notes.

From the Surgeon’s Hand to Surgical “GPS”

In the field of implants, technology has also been changing the approach to surgery. According to Dr. André, different levels of technical sophistication coexist today, ranging from traditional procedures to real-time navigation. “In the past, surgery was entirely freehand, and the surgeon relied much more on common sense and skill. In restrictive guided surgery, however—the standard we follow today—the surgeon works with guides and rings that lock the drill’s position and provide greater precision,” explains Pelegrine. He adds that navigation-guided surgery represents the next step: “It works like a real-time GPS. The surgeon views the drill’s movement in real time on the monitor as it moves through the bone tissue (on the CT scan) while operating, which allows for dynamic and precise adjustments during the procedure,” he says.

“Robotic surgery may be the next big leap, but it’s still in its early stages and far from being common practice in Brazil, mainly due to its high cost and the complexity involved,” he notes.

The technology has also been a valuable tool in prevention. Examples cited in the technical article demonstrate the success of deep learning algorithms in identifying bacterial plaque on primary teeth, helping dentists categorize pediatric patients into different risk groups. In practice, this paves the way for more personalized dental care starting in childhood.

The Dental Office of the Future

While artificial intelligence expands the technical capabilities of the dental office, it also increases the professional’s responsibility. For the expert, technological advancement does not diminish the importance of a dentist’s traditional training; on the contrary, it makes that knowledge even more indispensable.

“High technology combined with a neglect of basic science is a recipe for frustration. The dentist of the future must have gone through the learning curve to know how to operate in different ways. Technology won’t always be applicable in every situation, and the professional of the future still needs the traditional training that will help them make the best decisions and choose the appropriate clinical approach in different scenarios,” he states.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding these new tools, Dr. Pelegrine draws attention to a crucial point: artificial intelligence operates based on patterns, accumulated data, and previously recorded information. This makes it a powerful ally for interpreting familiar scenarios, but not necessarily for pointing the way toward truly novel approaches in science.

Artificial intelligence tends to redefine the dentist’s role within the office: less focused on repetitive tasks and more oriented toward critical interpretation, decision-making, and individualized care. In an increasingly digital landscape, the distinguishing factor will continue to be the human ability to assess context, understand unique circumstances, and transform data into safe and ethical actions. In the dentistry of the future, technology may even enhance precision, but it is the clinical eye that will continue to give meaning to treatment.

About São Leopoldo Mandic

Ranked for 15 consecutive years as one of the top ten institutions of higher education in the country according to the Ministry of Education’s (MEC) General Course Index (IGC), São Leopoldo Mandic College in Campinas boasts a faculty composed of professors holding doctoral degrees with extensive scientific publications, all graduates of the finest educational institutions in Brazil and abroad. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, fully-fledged dental clinics, and practical training opportunities at affiliated hospitals and Primary Health Care Units, the institution offers students hands-on experience in its Dentistry and Medicine programs starting in the first year, as well as research activities and community service opportunities. It features realistic simulation labs, modern diagnostic and training resources, and an innovation hub, all of which serve both undergraduate and graduate programs. It also runs outreach projects such as the “Barco da Saúde” (Health Boat), which brings medical and dental care to underserved communities. São Leopoldo Mandic College is part of the Mandic Group, which has nine other graduate programs throughout Brazil and one in Portugal. The Group also includes three additional undergraduate medical schools, located in the cities of Araras, São Paulo; Limeira, São Paulo; and the Sertão School of Medicine (FMS) in Arcoverde, Pernambuco.

Mandic Group Press Office:

InPress Porter Novelli – mandic@inpresspni.com.br