4 Practical Uses of AI in Oral Surgery You Can Implement Today

AI in oral surgery is no longer a concept reserved for the future—it’s here, and it’s already reshaping how specialty practices operate. While some of the most talked-about AI tools in healthcare are still in the early stages, there are practical, reliable solutions available right now that can save time, improve accuracy, and make workflows smoother for both clinical and administrative teams.

For oral surgeons and practice administrators, the question isn’t “Will AI be useful?” It’s “Which AI tools can we confidently put to work today without disrupting patient care or creating more work?”

In this article, we’ll explore four proven, real-world applications of AI in oral surgery that you can implement immediately, along with examples of how practices are already seeing benefits.

Why AI in Oral Surgery Is Worth Considering Now

The demand for oral surgery services continues to grow, driven by factors like an aging population, more complex treatment needs, and patient expectations for faster service. At the same time, practices are facing staffing shortages, increased compliance requirements, and tighter reimbursement margins.

That’s where AI fits in. When integrated well, AI doesn’t replace your expertise—it supports it. The right tools can take on repetitive, rule-based tasks or provide quick insights, so your team can focus on what requires human judgment: diagnosing, planning, and performing surgery, along with delivering a high-quality patient experience.

Before we look at the four uses, it’s worth noting that AI adoption in specialty care works best when:

• It solves a clear, existing problem

• It integrates into your current workflows

• It doesn’t require complex retraining

• It’s accurate enough to be trusted without constant checking

The following examples meet these criteria and are already in use in oral surgery practices today.

1. Automating Clinical Documentation with Voice-to-Notes

If you’ve ever ended a surgery day with a backlog of patient charts waiting for notes, you know how draining it can be to catch up. Documentation is critical, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming parts of the job.

How it works:
AI voice-to-notes transcription allows you to dictate your surgical and clinical notes directly into your practice management system. The AI transcribes your speech in real time and formats it into structured, readable notes. Because it captures details while they’re fresh in your mind, accuracy improves and the chance of missing important information drops significantly.

Why this matters in oral surgery:

• Procedures often involve many small, specific details—exact tooth numbers, anesthesia type, surgical approach—that are easier to speak than type.

• End-of-day fatigue increases the risk of incomplete or rushed notes, which can impact both care quality and compliance.

• Having structured notes helps with coding, billing, and future treatment planning.

Example in action:
A surgeon completes an IV sedation case and says aloud: “Patient tolerated sedation well. Full bony impaction on tooth 17 removed with minimal bleeding. Sutures placed. Post-op instructions given to patient and caregiver.” The AI turns this into a formatted chart note, ready for review and sign-off before the patient even leaves the office.

Practical tip for implementation:
If you’re new to dictation, start with one type of procedure you perform frequently. This helps you get comfortable with the process and develop a consistent “dictation script” that the AI can learn from.

2. Providing Instant Answers with an Internal AI Knowledge Base

Even the most experienced team members occasionally forget how to do something in the practice management system—especially if it’s a task they only perform a few times a year. Traditionally, the solution has been to ask a colleague, dig through a manual, or contact support. That can slow things down and interrupt others.

How it works:
An internal AI knowledge base is essentially a searchable assistant trained on your system’s documentation, setup guides, and workflows. Staff type a question—such as “How do I update the fee schedule?”—and get an instant answer without waiting for a person to respond.

Why this matters in oral surgery:

• New hires have a steep learning curve, especially in specialty practices with complex billing and scheduling workflows.

• Reducing support tickets keeps your team moving and lowers frustration.

• Consistent answers mean fewer variations in how tasks are completed.

Example in action:
A newly hired scheduler needs to send a referral letter to a general dentist. Instead of stopping the office manager mid-task, they type “send referral letter” into the knowledge base and follow the provided steps.

Practical tip for implementation:
Encourage your team to use the AI assistant for “how-to” questions before asking colleagues. Over time, this builds a habit that keeps interruptions to a minimum.

3. Managing Patient Calls with an AI Phone Agent

Your front desk team often plays traffic controller—fielding pre-op instructions, post-op concerns, insurance questions, and appointment rescheduling. This is essential work, but much of it is repetitive and doesn’t require a human to answer.

How it works:
An AI phone agent can handle these standard calls in real time. It can answer common patient questions, call patients for post-op check-ins, and route urgent matters to the right team member. The AI understands intent, uses natural speech patterns, and logs interactions for your records.

Why this matters in oral surgery:

• Patients often call outside of business hours, especially after surgery.

• Staff can focus on patients in the office instead of juggling constant calls.

• Standardized answers reduce the risk of inconsistent instructions.

Example in action:
A patient calls at 8 p.m. asking about swelling after wisdom tooth removal. The AI asks follow-up questions, determines it’s within normal limits, gives standard recovery advice, and flags the call for staff to review in the morning.

Practical tip for implementation:
Start with after-hours coverage, then expand to daytime call handling once your team is confident in the AI’s accuracy.

4. Improving Diagnostics with AI Imaging Assistance

Interpreting CBCT scans takes time, and even experienced surgeons can benefit from automated checks for key structures. AI imaging assistance speeds up this process and helps reduce oversight risk.

How it works:
AI-powered imaging tools can automatically detect nerve canals, identify anatomical landmarks, and assist with implant planning. These tools work within cloud-based imaging platforms, so you can access them wherever you review scans.

Why this matters in oral surgery:

• Detecting nerve paths and sinus proximity is critical for avoiding complications.

• Automated measurements save time in surgical planning.

• Enhanced visualization helps with patient education and case acceptance.

Example in action:
You open a CBCT scan for a complex implant case. The AI highlights the mandibular nerve path and suggests optimal implant positioning based on bone density readings. You confirm the plan and proceed with confidence.

Practical tip for implementation:
Use AI annotations as a second check, not a replacement for your own interpretation. This ensures you maintain clinical control while benefiting from the speed of automation.

Overcoming Common Concerns About AI in Oral Surgery

Adopting new technology often raises valid questions. Here are a few common concerns and how practices are addressing them:

• Will it take too long to train my team?
  Most modern AI tools are built into existing platforms and require minimal setup. The learning curve is often shorter than with traditional software updates.

• Can I trust the accuracy?
  AI in oral surgery should always be used as an assistant, not an autonomous decision-maker. When paired with your expertise, it can increase both speed and accuracy.

• What about patient perception?
  Most patients appreciate faster responses and clear communication. Transparency is key—explain that the AI is a tool your team uses to ensure consistent care.

What Practices Are Saying

AI adoption in oral surgery is still new, but feedback from early users is positive. One DSN customer shared:

“The AI features save us hours every week and keep our team focused on patients instead of chasing down answers.”

This reflects the main advantage: reclaiming time for high-value patient interactions instead of administrative bottlenecks.

How to Decide Which AI Tools to Try First

If you’re unsure where to start, look for these indicators in your practice:

• Your team is regularly behind on charting

• New staff take weeks to get comfortable with software

• Call volume is overwhelming your front desk

• Imaging review is a bottleneck for treatment planning

Choose the tool that addresses your biggest pain point first. Success in one area often builds momentum for broader adoption.

The Bottom Line on AI in Oral Surgery

AI in oral surgery is not about replacing people—it’s about removing friction from your workflows. When implemented thoughtfully, these tools can:

• Save hours each week on repetitive tasks

• Improve accuracy in both documentation and diagnostics

• Free your team to focus on in-person patient care

• Provide consistent, reliable support for staff at every level

You don’t have to adopt everything at once. Start small, measure the results, and expand from there.

If you want to see these capabilities in action, request a demo today.