About
Perceptive Technologies is pioneering the future of dentistry through three integrated technologies: advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, and dental robotics. Their flagship product is a handheld intraoral scanner powered by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which captures detailed 3D volumetric data including beneath the gum line, through fluids, and under tooth surfaces — all without the ionizing radiation of X-rays or CBCT scanners. The OCT system demonstrates up to 90% sensitivity for caries detection, compared to approximately 45% with traditional 2D X-rays. Built on top of this rich imaging data, Perceptive's AI layer performs state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment planning. Dentists can detect problems earlier and with greater accuracy, while AI-generated visualizations help patients better understand their conditions and the need for care. The third pillar is a dental robotics system targeting the completion of restorative procedures — such as fillings and crowns — in as little as 15 minutes in a single visit, compared to two visits totaling two or more hours with traditional methods. The system is designed for precision cutting to 100 microns, far exceeding FDA-approved implantology robots at 1,100 microns. Perceptive's technology is currently in the prototype and development stage, with ongoing in-house and IRB-approved testing. Products do not yet have FDA 510(k) marketing clearance. The platform is designed for dental practices, DSOs, and healthcare systems aiming to scale access to high-quality dental care.
Key Features
- OCT-Based Intraoral 3D Scanner: A handheld scanner using Optical Coherence Tomography to capture 3D volumetric dental data — including below the gum line and through fluids — with no ionizing radiation.
- AI Diagnostics & Treatment Planning: AI models analyze OCT volumetric data to detect caries and other dental issues earlier and more accurately, and generate clear visualizations for patient education.
- Dental Robotics System: An in-development robotic platform targeting restorative procedures like crowns in 15 minutes with precision cutting to 100 microns — far exceeding current FDA-approved robotic accuracy.
- 90%+ Caries Detection Sensitivity: OCT-based detection achieves up to 90% sensitivity for caries, compared to ~45% with traditional 2D X-rays, enabling earlier and more reliable diagnosis.
- Motion-Compensated OCT Capture: Patented approach leverages motion correction to ensure geometric accuracy in OCT data capture, making it suitable for real-world intraoral use.
Use Cases
- Early and accurate caries detection using radiation-free 3D OCT scanning during routine dental exams
- AI-assisted treatment planning that helps dentists visualize diagnostic findings and communicate clearly with patients
- Single-visit restorative procedures (crowns, fillings) completed in minutes using precision dental robotics
- Integration of OCT imaging with CBCT data for comprehensive root, pulp, and caries localization
- Research and clinical trials for next-generation dental diagnostics and minimally invasive restorative techniques
Pros
- Radiation-Free High-Accuracy Imaging: OCT scanning achieves superior caries detection sensitivity without the health risks associated with ionizing radiation from X-rays or CBCT.
- Dramatically Faster Restorative Procedures: The robotic system targets a 15-minute single-visit crown procedure, reducing patient burden from two multi-hour visits to one short appointment.
- Integrated AI + Imaging + Robotics Platform: End-to-end system combining imaging hardware, AI diagnostics, and robotic treatment in one platform addresses the full clinical workflow.
Cons
- Not Yet FDA Cleared: Neither the OCT scanner nor the robotic system currently holds 510(k) FDA marketing clearance, so the technology is not yet available for commercial use in the U.S.
- Still in Prototype Stage: Industrial and product design are not yet finalized, and the technology is still undergoing testing — limiting availability to early research and development contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is Perceptive's OCT scanner for detecting cavities?
The OCT system achieves 87% sensitivity and 86% specificity for enamel caries, and 85% sensitivity and 97% specificity for dentin caries — significantly outperforming the ~45% sensitivity of traditional 2D X-rays.
Does the OCT scanner use radiation?
No. Unlike X-rays or CBCT scanners, Perceptive's OCT-based intraoral scanner captures detailed 3D data without any ionizing radiation, making it safer for patients and practitioners.
Is Perceptive's technology available for purchase?
Not yet. The OCT scanner and robotic systems are currently in prototype and development stages and do not have FDA 510(k) marketing clearance for sale in the U.S.
How does the robotic dental system improve over traditional methods?
The robotic system targets completing restorative procedures like crowns in approximately 15 minutes in a single visit, compared to the traditional two-visit process totaling two or more hours.
Who is Perceptive Technologies designed for?
The platform is designed for dental professionals including general dentists, dental service organizations (DSOs), and healthcare systems seeking to adopt advanced imaging, AI diagnostics, and robotic procedures.
