Best AI for Dentists? How Overjet’s FDA-Approved Tech Works

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Boston's Overjet AI: Revolutionizing Dentistry with Precision X-ray Analysis and Cavity Detection

Boston has emerged as a global hub for dental innovation, spearheaded by companies like Overjet, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to transform X-ray analysis, cavity detection, and periodontal disease diagnosis. With FDA-cleared technology, academic roots at MIT and Harvard, and partnerships with major insurers and dental support organizations (DSOs), Overjet is setting a new standard for precision dentistry.

But why is Boston at the forefront of this robotic-AI revolution in dentistry? Who are the minds behind this breakthrough, and what do experts say about its impact? This blog explores Overjet’s advancements, its inventors, investors, and the future of AI in dental care—with critical insights into how this technology is reshaping oral health.

1. The Technology: How Overjet’s AI is Transforming Dental Diagnostics

Overjet’s AI platform is the first FDA-cleared system designed to:

  • Detect and outline cavities with millimeter-level precision 17.

  • Quantify bone loss for diagnosing periodontal disease, a condition affecting nearly half of U.S. adults 5.

  • Standardize diagnoses, reducing variability in treatment plans—studies show dentists using Overjet detect 32% more cavities than manual reviews 1.

Unlike traditional X-ray interpretations, which can vary between dentists, Overjet provides color-coded overlays that highlight decay, calculus, and bone recession, making it easier for patients to understand their conditions 9.

Why This Matters

  • Higher accuracy: AI minimizes human error, catching early-stage decay that might be missed visually.

  • Better patient trust: Visual evidence improves treatment acceptance rates by 75% in some practices 9.

  • Efficiency boost: Real-time analysis cuts diagnosis time, allowing dentists to focus on care rather than manual X-ray reviews 5.

2. Boston’s Leadership in Dental Robotics & AI

Boston’s dominance in dental AI stems from:

A. Strong Academic & Research Ties

  • Overjet was co-founded by Wardah Inam (MIT PhD) and Alexander Jelicich, blending expertise in AI, engineering, and dentistry 110.

  • Harvard School of Dental Medicine contributed clinical insights, ensuring AI aligns with real-world dental needs 11.

B. High Adoption by Insurers & DSOs

  • Overjet works with insurers covering 75+ million patients, including Delta Dental and Guardian 17.

  • Dental Care Alliance (DCA), one of the largest DSOs, rolled out Overjet across 400+ practices, marking one of the biggest AI deployments in dentistry 611.

C. Investment & Industry Backing

  • Overjet has raised 133M∗∗,includinga∗∗133M∗∗,includinga∗∗53M Series C (the largest in dental AI history) led by March Capital, with participation from General Catalyst, Insight Partners, and the American Dental Association 37.

3. The Inventors & Key Players Behind Overjet

  • Dr. Wardah Inam (CEO) – MIT-trained engineer who pivoted to dentistry after experiencing inconsistent diagnoses firsthand 1.

  • Dr. Christopher Balaban (VP of Clinical Affairs) – Brings dental expertise to ensure AI aligns with clinical standards 2.

  • Harvard Innovation Labs – Provided early incubation, merging AI research with dental practice 10.

4. Expert Dentist Insights: How AI is Changing Practice

Dr. Mark Sivers, Chief Clinical Officer at Aligned Dental Partners, notes:

"Overjet’s AI is a game-changer clinically. It creates a common language between dentists and insurers, speeding up reimbursements and improving care consistency." 7

A practicing dentist using Overjet reports:

  • 30% increase in production due to higher case acceptance.

  • Automated tracking of decay progression over 18 months, improving preventive care 9.

5. The Future: Robotics, AI, and Critical Challenges

A. The Rise of Robotic Dentistry

While Overjet focuses on diagnostics, companies like Perceptive Robotics are pioneering fully automated dental surgeries—a robot in Colombia recently performed the first AI-guided crown replacement in 15 minutes (vs. 2 hours manually) 8.

B. Critical Thinking: Risks & Ethical Considerations

  • Over-reliance on AI? Dentists must still validate AI findings to avoid misdiagnosis.

  • Data privacy: Cloud-based X-ray analysis requires robust cybersecurity.

  • Job displacement fears: AI augments—not replaces—dentists, but some tasks may become automated.

Conclusion: Boston’s Blueprint for the Future of Dentistry

Overjet exemplifies how Boston’s blend of academia, tech investment, and clinical partnerships is revolutionizing dentistry. By reducing subjectivity in diagnoses, improving insurer-dentist collaboration, and enhancing patient trust, AI is making precision dentistry the new norm.

As robotics and AI merge further, the next decade could see fully automated dental clinics—but for now, Overjet’s success proves that the future of dentistry is data-driven, patient-centric, and undeniably Boston-made.

 

 

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