It was predictable that robotic technology would revolutionize the health sector. One of the first examples of this revolution took place. A startup called Perceptive successfully performed the world’s first fully automated dental treatment. The robot can carry out the surgical process on its own from start to finish.

Details of the fully automated robot surgery

Perceptive has announced the first fully automated dental surgery with robotic technology. The robot developed by the company combines artificial intelligence, 3D imaging and robotics to speed up the treatment process and reduce costs. The technology, which is currently awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can complete procedures such as dental crowns in just 15 minutes.

The robot uses a 3D volume data procedure to plan and diagnose treatment. Perceptive’s handheld intraoral scanner performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to determine the treatment process. OCT scans can provide detailed 3D images under the gums, in fluids and beneath the tooth surface. The technology detects cavities with over 90 percent accuracy, and in the process, patients are not exposed to the ionizing radiation of traditional X-ray scans.

Perceptive’s artificial intelligence algorithms interpret the 3D data and create a surgical plan. The company says this automation can improve the quality of treatment, enabling dentists to treat more patients faster and with higher quality. In addition, robot technology reduces the need for manual labor, minimizing the risk of human error.

Perceptive has received $30 million in investment for robotic dental treatment, and Mark Zuckerberg’s father, Dr. Eduard Zuckerberg, is among the investors. Dr. Zuckerberg stated that the robot dentist is designed to work safely even in conditions where patients move. However, for now, the robot has only treated one patient in Colombia and the company expects to take five years to get FDA approval.