Robot dentist?

[braumeister]

Gotta love this one.
Fully-automatic robot dentist performs world's first human procedure

The system, built by Boston company Perceptive, uses a hand-held 3D volumetric scanner, which builds a detailed 3D model of the mouth, including the teeth, gums and even nerves under the tooth surface...

At this point, the (human) dentist and patient can discuss what needs doing – but once those decisions are made, the robotic dental surgeon takes over. It plans out the operation, then jolly well goes ahead and does it.

And there are clearly benefits. If you're in and out of the robo-dentist's chair in a quarter of an hour instead of two solid 60-minute marathons, that's a huge improvement. You don't seem to need to keep your mouth stretched quite as wide open, which could make those 15 minutes less fatiguing.

 

[MC Rider]

But can it try to make small talk while you have a mouth full of dental tools?

 

[Walt34]

I just wonder what can go wrong... go wrong...go wrong...

 

[pb4uski]

But can it try to make small talk while you have a mouth full of dental tools?

That's planned for the next generation of dental robots.

Actually, I can see that as a possibility for regular cleanings... just a matter of time.

 

[rk911]

No, thanks. I'll stick with my tried and true human dentist.

 

[Koolau]

I wonder if the robot can sense a patient's distress (reaction to pain) the way a human dentist would? Perhaps the patient will have a button to stop the robot if they are in distress.

I'm not against the concept. I'm truly amazed at the technology my dentist uses to map my mouth right now. The dental tech who cleans my teeth has my mouth on screen and I can see where I need better brushing, etc.

When I replaced a bridge this year, the dentist was able to avoid the "slime tray" experience to make an impression. He simply mapped everything and then e-sent the electronic map to the lab which then used it to build my new bridge. Amazing.

Why not?