AI Dental X-Ray Cavity Detection

Dental radiograph AI reads the same images dentists already take. Bitewings show the crowns of back teeth and the bone between them, and are the main X-rays for spotting cavities between teeth. Periapicals show whole teeth down to the root tip. The software detects and outlines suspected caries, measures bone levels, and in many products also marks existing restorations, calculus and signs of infection at root tips. Companies including Overjet, Pearl and VideaHealth have received FDA clearance for detection features, generally as computer-aided detection devices that assist the clinician rather than diagnose on their own. On accuracy, research generally finds that AI assistance helps dentists detect more early cavities, especially those still in enamel, and some studies report more false positives as sensitivity rises. Results vary by product, image quality and the reference standard used. Radiographs have built-in limits: they are two-dimensional, a lesion must lose a fair amount of mineral before it shows up, cavities on biting surfaces are hard to see, and a normal effect called cervical burnout can look like decay near the gumline. The most important misconception is that a detected lesion means a filling. Many early enamel lesions can be stopped or reversed with fluoride, sealants and diet changes, and the dentist's decision depends on depth, whether the lesion is active and the patient's caries risk. More sensitive detection without careful judgment could push toward overtreatment. Patient trust cuts both ways. Colored overlays make an abstract gray image easier to understand, and many patients find that reassuring. But if patients suspect the software exists to sell procedures, the same image can feel like a sales pitch. Explaining that the dentist reviews every mark, and treats only some of them, supports informed consent.