By Christian Coachman
⋅ 4 min read
⋅ Updated Nov, 2025
- AI in dentistry is transforming diagnosis, treatment planning and precision across clinical workflows.
Dental robotics is emerging for tooth preparation and implant surgery.
Digital dentistry tools such as intraoral scanning and CAD/CAM design are now everyday essentials.
Manual hand skills and clinical judgment remain critical, even in an AI-driven environment
The future of dentistry depends on smart technology adoption, collaboration and human connection.
In a recent episode of Coffee Break with Coachman, Kirk Behrendt and I were joined by Professor Nitzan Bichacho to discuss how AI, robotics and digital dentistry are transforming modern dental practice.
We explored what every dentist is asking:
With advances in AI and technology happening at such a rapid pace, will we still have a job by 2040?
Our consensus was clear. While artificial intelligence and dental technology may be revolutionizing diagnosis, planning and restorative workflows, we believe that human judgment, manual skill and empathy – foundation of dentistry — are still irreplaceable.
Six ways AI and technology in dentistry are changing how clinicians diagnose, plan and deliver care:
1. AI is powering diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry
How fast is AI changing dentistry? Professor Nitzan Bichacho predicts AI is going to kick in very fast in the diagnostic process. This shift is one of the most exciting because it immediately addresses a major professional hurdle: AI will effectively democratize the issue between the top dentist and the medium-level dentist.
AI systems will support both diagnostics and treatment planning by analyzing data and simulating outcomes. The future will be a powerful partnership: AI will ensure the foundational evaluation is accurate and data-driven, freeing the dentist to focus on interpretation, personalization and finalizing the overall strategy.
2. Robotics will make digital dentistry workflows more precise
Robotics is here and ready to refine our work: it’s no longer the technology of the future. Systems are already being tested (like those from Galip Gürel and Stefan Koubi) that can handle procedures like veneer preps, crown reduction and implant placement.
The precision achieved is impressive: accuracy is around 70 microns, which is acceptable compared to the general human range (up to 100 microns). This precision will democratize the gap in manual dexterity, drastically increasing the general level of dentistry.However, this isn't about replacement, it's about evolution. Clinicians will shift from manual operators to digital treatment designers who must still design and define the preps, supervising and controlling the robot's execution to ensure safety and precision.
3. Digital dentistry is a necessity
Let's talk about digital tools. It's safe to say digital dentistry has moved past hype and is here to stay. Once you start using tools like intraoral scanners and CAD/CAM, there is no way back.
However, there is a crucial caveat: not every innovation is progress. We need to beware of over-sophisticated solutions, such as augmented-reality navigation, that are expensive but don't solve a real clinical problem.
Our advice is to be pragmatic and evaluate the value behind the innovation. Always remember to prioritize tools that genuinely simplify your workflow and boost efficiency, because the best digital dental systems simplify rather than complicate.
4. Clinical intuition will still rely on mastering analog hand skills
Despite the rise of AI and robots, I believe that manual skill remains absolutely essential. The tactile experience and understanding of occlusion, jaw dynamics and function simply cannot be fully digitized.
I also believe that the best way to practice is not necessarily the best way to learn. For example, while we may not use a facebow every day, struggling with the process of doing it in school is an amazing educational process that helps you to develop the sensitivity needed for correct digital use.Therefore, I still think that it can be beneficial for new dentists to master the analog way, such as registering a bite with wax, in order to build the clinical intuition that will better equip them to plan restorations and foresee complications.
Future dentists will need to combine both: digital mastery supported by a foundation of hands-on experience.
5. Smart technology adoption will require due diligence and strategic timing
The challenge is no longer whether to adopt new technology, but when and how. While some clinicians invest in new AI or digital systems before they're proven, others prefer to hold on to outdated techniques because they're emotionally attached to them.
The best strategy is all about timing, relevance, ROI, and what suits you. For example, you may want to invest after the early adopters have proven reliability but before something becomes too widespread to be a differentiator. This gives you the sweet spot: being ahead of the curve without struggling through the solution's maturation.For any investment, remember that clinical due diligence is vital: the tool must address a real need and not just follow a trend.
If you have to invent the problem to sell the solution, that’s just hype. For owners and investors, never invest in a field you don't understand unless you have smart, knowledgeable consultants and a devil's advocate to question every decision.
6. Peer learning and mentorship will become more important than ever
With innovation accelerating, peer learning and mentorship are more important than ever; no single clinician can keep pace with every new technology alone.
The key to staying current is to be part of a community where you can share real-world results and learn from peers who are already using new systems. We talked about how the relationship between colleagues is crucial: if a trusted peer tells you a new solution works great or is not worth your time, it can save you massive amounts of time, money and tears.This is particularly vital for new graduates who often leave university lacking exposure to live cases or advanced digital tools. They need to find mentors and top practices that offer an internship after dental school to learn these technologies.
Ultimately, professional connection will be helpful when it comes to keeping clinicians future ready.
The human connection: what technology can’t replace
No matter how advanced AI or robotics become, the profession’s foundation will always be human. Patients seek understanding, reassurance and trust, which are qualities we believe no algorithm can replicate.
The key is to remember that the real goal of innovation is to enhance our ability to care, not to replace us. Artificial intelligence, robotics and digital workflows will handle precision and data, but I believe that the dentist remains at the heart of the process to interpret, communicate and create confidence.The future of dentistry will belong to those who successfully combine technological fluency with empathy and clinical wisdom.
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