It seems like only yesterday “AI” was kind of a dirty word. Many in the dental community had considerable angst and apprehension regarding AI. How would dentists incorporate this gargantuan technological marvel into their workflow? Would it “take over” one’s practice? What would become of the clinical decision-making process? Could dentists “tame the beast” and make it work for them? Three years ago this month, my From the Editor letter that appeared in this very space was titled, “Ready for AI?” Today, in 2026, I believe the answer has become a resounding “yes!”
As AI-related technology has gradually and innocuously seeped into the mainstream of healthcare, it has moved from “emerging tech” to something that is actively embedded in day-to-day dental practice—visible in clinical workflows, patient experiences, and business operations. Dentists are realizing that AI tools—from routine diagnostics, to task automation, to generating personalized dental treatment plans—are easier to use than originally feared and require less technical expertise than expected. Estimates show that more than a third of dentists have incorporated artificial intelligence into their practices. Moreover, patients expect their healthcare providers—dentists included—to offer current technologies for fast, accurate diagnoses and tailored care.
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Our first continuing education (CE) article this issue discusses how practitioners can utilize AI to optimize dental practice performance in five key areas: patient safety, scheduling, operations, marketing, and financial management. The authors provide an overview of not only the benefits AI tools can bring to a practice, but also the pitfalls to avoid.
Speaking of pitfalls, our second CE article describes how periodontal debridement using ultrasonics and air polishing can lead to the breakdown of dental restorations. The authors review the effects of these devices on various restorative biomaterials and offer evidence-based recommendations to help reduce iatrogenic damage during periodontal care.
Other topics included in this issue are a novel technique for effectively preparing teeth for ceramic veneers, restorative management of constriction and spacing following arch expansion, and oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
Now that AI has seemingly crossed several key thresholds, including usability, integration, and perhaps most importantly, trust, it seems well on its way to becoming mainstream in dentistry. Perhaps it is time to make it part of your standard of care.
Sincerely,
Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
markus.blatz@conexiant.com
