The Drill Down – Deep Dive: AI Takes the Drill

If you think dental service organizations (DSOs) are still debating whether artificial intelligence belongs in the operatory, think again. In the past few weeks DSOs have been on a buying spree, rolling out AI‑powered imaging, analytics and practice‑management software across hundreds of clinics. The goal isn’t just to impress investors with flashy dashboards; it’s to standardize care, boost efficiency and give patients a “wow” factor when they sit in the chair. But can AI live up to the hype? To find out, we dug into the latest deals, features and friction points shaping the DSO AI arms race.

Passion Dental and others bet big on Overjet – Earlier this month Passion Dental rolled out Overjet’s complete AI suite across 55 of its locations. Overjet’s platform overlays radiographs with AI‑generated measurements, highlighting caries and bone loss and providing a second set of eyes for dentists. The company’s IRIS imaging software is AI‑native, meaning that the AI analysis is baked into the image viewer rather than bolted on overjet.com. IRIS works with any sensor and can even operate offline, giving clinicians a one‑click workflow instead of juggling multiple applications. Dental support organizations see this as a path to standardize diagnostics across offices and to make new associates productive faster.

From X‑rays to insurance verifications – Overjet isn’t just about pictures; it’s trying to streamline the entire front office. Its AI can automate eligibility checks and provide code‑level insurance coverage verification, a process that usually requires dozens of phone calls. The company claims these tools save staff 20–40 hours per week by reducing time spent on manual verification. For large DSOs that handle hundreds of claims a day, that’s real money.

LENS brings all images together – In early October Overjet unveiled LENS, a feature that unifies radiographs, intraoral photos and other diagnostic data into a single view of each tooth or case. With one click, dentists can pull up every relevant image from different visits and modalities, annotate the images based on AI findings and save or share comprehensive case packages. This not only speeds up treatment planning but also makes it easier to explain findings to patients, who often struggle to interpret a grayscale blur. Overjet says downloadable PDFs and further annotation features are on the way.

Enterprise analytics – For DSOs managing dozens or hundreds of clinics, chairside AI is only half the story. Overjet’s enterprise dashboard lets executives track clinical performance across locations, providers and procedures. A piece in Group Dentistry Now highlighted how DSOs use these analytics to replicate best practices and align staff around data‑driven goals. From treatment acceptance rates to radiograph turnaround times, the system provides metrics that many DSOs never had before. In a competitive market where small differences in case acceptance can make or break profitability, this level of insight is a selling point.

In late October, Boca Raton‑based Sage Dental selected Denticon by Planet DDS as its enterprise practice management platform, replacing a patchwork of legacy systems. According to the companies, the deal is more than a software swap – Denticon’s cloud‑based system will consolidate multiple tools into a single platform and introduce an AI‑driven estimation engine that predicts treatment costs with high accuracy. Accurate cost estimates improve patient trust and accelerate case acceptance. By moving to an AI‑first, cloud‑native platform, Sage expects to streamline workflows, maximize reimbursement and deliver a consistent experience across more than 140 practices.

The Aspen Group, which operates the massive Aspen Dental network, isn’t relying on software alone. It recently signed a deal to install Planmeca’s premium imaging hardware – including the Viso and ProMax CBCT units, ProX intraoral X‑rays and ProSensor HD sensors – across its 1,100+ clinics. These machines come with Planmeca’s CALM technology, which uses AI to correct for patient movement and reduce retakes, plus an Ultra Low Dose protocol that reduces radiation exposure. The hardware will feed into Romexis and Planmeca Insights, smart software platforms that provide real‑time device data and predictive maintenance.

Planmeca’s release notes that Henry Schein, a major distributor, will support the rollout with a network of technicians. Aspen’s chief clinical officer said the goal is to equip every Aspen Dental practice with state‑of‑the‑art imaging to enhance diagnostic precision and streamline workflows. The deal builds on Aspen’s existing relationship with Planmeca through its ClearChoice implant centers, where the Planmeca Viso is the centerpiece of digital treatment planning. For DSOs, investing in cutting‑edge imaging isn’t just about clearer pictures; it’s about integrating AI‑ready hardware that can support future analytics and treatment simulations.

While Aspen invests in imaging hardware, its sister brand ClearChoice is experimenting with consumer‑facing AI. During October ClearChoice launched “First Look,” an AI‑powered simulator that lets patients preview potential treatment results. Think of it as a dental version of a Hollywood special‑effects studio: patients can see themselves with a full set of implants or veneers before committing. This kind of technology isn’t just a gimmick – it taps into the psychology of case acceptance by letting patients visualize outcomes rather than imagining them. For a DSO that performs high‑ticket procedures like implants, an immersive preview could mean millions in additional revenue.

All these investments raise an uncomfortable question: will dentists actually use the tools? At the ADA Forsyth dentech 2025 conference, a panel of investors and executives reminded the industry that behavioural change is the biggest barrier to adoption. Thomas Flemmig, D.M.D., warned that getting providers to change their workflow is a tremendous barrier. Venture capitalist Xin Sylvia He emphasised that new tools must fit into existing workflows, while PDS Health’s strategy chief Daniel Burke noted that innovations are only attractive if they incrementally improve an existing flow rather than blow it up. Board member Amir Abolfathi said it can take extensive time and money to figure out which of the thousands of dentists are early adopters. In other words, AI is a marathon, not a sprint.

DSOs are no longer timid experimenters; they’re full‑blown tech investors. Overjet’s rollout across Passion Dental and other networks shows that AI‑native imaging and automated insurance workflows are moving from pilots to enterprise deployments. Sage Dental’s pivot to an AI‑first platform signals a broader shift from cobbled‑together software to unified, predictive systems. Aspen and ClearChoice’s partnership with Planmeca demonstrates that hardware matters, especially when it integrates AI for motion correction and low‑dose imaging, while ClearChoice’s First Look simulator proves that patient‑facing AI can drive engagement and revenue.

Yet the biggest challenge may not be writing checks but rewriting habits. As dentech panelists pointed out, dentists and staff must be convinced to trust AI and integrate it into their daily routines. DSOs that invest in comprehensive training and choose platforms that seamlessly fit into existing workflows will reap the benefits; those that chase shiny objects may end up with expensive, unused gadgets. The AI arms race is on — but victory will go to the organizations that master adoption as well as innovation.