A robot dentist? Between innovation and apprehension

The idea of a robot performing dental procedures, until recently relegated to science fiction, is coming to life thanks to companies like Perceptive Their website is: https://www.perceptive.io/

This company promises a future where artificial intelligence and robotics combine to offer more precise, efficient and, perhaps, accessible dental treatments.

However, this futuristic vision arouses mixed reactions, from fascination with innovation to apprehension about robotic intrusion into a space as intimate as our mouth.

It is undeniable that robotics has revolutionized various fields of medicine, from laparoscopic surgery to the precise administration of radiotherapy. Millimeter precision, the ability to operate tirelessly and the elimination of the human factor in terms of tremor or fatigue, make robots attractive tools for complex procedures.

In the case of dentistry, the potential advantages are obvious:

• Very high precision: Robots, guided by 3D images and AI algorithms, could perform procedures with unmatched precision, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and improving outcomes
• Less Invasive: Robotic dexterity would allow for minimally invasive interventions, reducing pain, inflammation and recovery time.
• Efficiency and Accessibility: Automating repetitive tasks could free up dentists to focus on complex diagnoses and personalized patient care. In the long term, this could make quality dental care more accessible, especially in areas with a shortage of professionals.

Despite the potential advantages, the idea of a robot operating in our mouth raises a number of concerns:

• The mouth is a complex and intimate space: Each mouth is unique, with its particular anatomy, sensitivity and ability to open. Interaction with soft tissue, pain management and adaptation to involuntary patient movements are considerable challenges for a robot.
• The human factor: Dentistry is not limited to the technical execution of a procedure. Empathy, the ability to calm a patient’s anxiety, interpreting their reactions and making decisions in real time are crucial aspects that only a human dentist can provide.
• The ethical and social dilemma: What happens to the doctor-patient relationship in a technology-dominated environment? Who is responsible if something goes wrong during a procedure performed by a robot? How does the digital divide and potential inequality in access to this technology addressed?

It is important to note that, at least in the near future, robot dentists will not completely replace human professionals. Instead, they are emerging as assistance tools, improving the accuracy and efficiency of dentists, who will still be responsible for diagnosis, treatment planning and critical decision-making.

The way forward is intelligent collaboration between technology and humanity. Robots may be great tools, but the intuition, empathy, and clinical judgment of a human dentist remain irreplaceable. The future of dentistry lies in finding the right balance between technological innovation and preserving the human component, which is essential for comprehensive, patient-centered care.

And you can call me weird if you want, but I am very clear that no robot is going to enter my mouth to drill (or whatever is necessary) one of my teeth.

But despite everything, welcome to the technology that dares to do anything.