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AI won’t replace orthodontists – orthodontists who master AI will replace those who don’t.

  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

The American Association of Orthodontists AAO represents about 19,000 orthodontists across the US, Canada and internationally and helps set the bar for standards education and patient safety.


AAO just published a position paper on AI in orthodontic clinical practice.


In its new position paper on AI in clinical orthodontic practice the AAO suggests a simple lens function and risk. If AI supports decisions every output still requires clinician review. If software starts to decide or adapt over time expectations rise sharply with rigorous clinical validation a precise intended use and ongoing monitoring after deployment.


Trust isn’t a slogan, it’s documentation. Transparent data and testing bias controls clear update history plus patient autonomy team training and privacy by design.


Because the AAO also educates the public including its Find an Orthodontist mission AI pushes patient education to the next level not just who treats me but how is AI used in my treatment and who is accountable. Patients deserve a clear distinction between AI performance algorithm outputs and provider performance clinical judgment ethics responsibility. AI can be powerful, but the orthodontist owns the outcome.


Three questions that will shape how AI lands in orthodontic practice


  1. What should informed consent look like in an AI supported workflow and how do we prevent patients from confusing tool accuracy with clinical quality?

  2. Who is accountable for keeping AI safe over time through real world monitoring and drift controls? The vendor, the provider, an independent body or shared governance?

  3. Should the industry collaborate more formally with bodies like the AAO and in Europe the European Aligner Society to define minimum standards for AI transparency and patient communication?


We at ConCom Dental would welcome an exchange with anyone shaping the next generation of AI enabled orthodontics.

 

Direct PDF of the position paper

 



 
 
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