In a groundbreaking achievement, a robot has performed the first-ever fully automated dental surgery on a human, utilizing artificial intelligence and three-dimensional imaging combined with a robotic arm specifically designed for dental procedures.
Perceptive, the US-based company behind the innovation, aims to enhance the precision and efficiency of dental operations such as fillings and crowns with this technology. Dr. Chris Ciriello, the CEO and founder, emphasized the potential of this medical breakthrough.
Backed by $30 million (N48 billion) in funding and supported by dentist Edward Zuckerberg, father of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the company envisions a future where crown placements could be completed in just 15 minutes, a significant reduction from the current two-hour process requiring two visits.
The procedure begins with a 3D scan of the patient’s tooth and mouth, capturing detailed images even beneath the gum line. While the robotic device is still under development and not yet available for sale in the US, the creators are confident it will revolutionize dentistry. Although it has not yet received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the technology promises to be faster and more accurate than traditional methods.
