Will AI replace Orthodontists?
AI can do 24% of the work Orthodontists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 11 tasks, while 3 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 6 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 7% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.Mostly automated7% of time
AI could do this next3 · 17% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.8% of time
- Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.7% of time
- Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.3% of time
Robots can technically do this1 · 4% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
Still needs a person6 · 72% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.32% of time
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.16% of time
- Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.8% of time
- Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.7% of time
- Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.5% of time
- Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.4% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 3 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 6 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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