What If Your CBCT Could Warn You About a Hidden Infection Before You Even Notice It?
Dentsply Sirona has introduced Smart View – Detect, the world’s first FDA-cleared AI-enabled diagnostic aid specifically designed to identify periapical radiolucencies (PARLs) on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Available through the company’s DS Core cloud platform, this innovation aims to make CBCT interpretation faster, more consistent, and easier to communicate with patients.
For endodontists, general dentists, and oral radiologists, this could represent one of the most significant AI advancements in dental imaging to date.
Why Detecting Periapical Lesions Matters
Periapical radiolucencies are among the most common findings on dental radiographs and CBCT scans. They usually indicate inflammatory changes around the root apex, often resulting from pulpal infection or failed endodontic treatment.
According to published research cited by Dentsply Sirona, approximately 52% of adults have at least one tooth affected by a periapical radiolucency, highlighting the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis.
The Challenge of Reading CBCT Scans
CBCT imaging has transformed dental diagnosis by providing three-dimensional visualization of teeth and surrounding structures.
However, every CBCT scan contains hundreds of image slices that clinicians must carefully review.
Meet Smart View – Detect
Smart View – Detect is not an automated diagnostic system.
Instead, it functions as an AI-assisted clinical aid that visually highlights areas where periapical radiolucencies may be present.
The final diagnosis remains entirely in the hands of the treating dentist.
The software is designed to support—not replace—clinical expertise.
How Does the AI Work?
After a CBCT scan is uploaded into DS Core, Smart View – Detect automatically analyzes the entire 3D volume.
The software then:
- Detects teeth that may have periapical radiolucencies
- Visually highlights suspicious regions
- Directs clinicians to areas requiring closer inspection
- Integrates seamlessly into the existing imaging workflow
Rather than replacing interpretation, it serves as a second set of eyes, reducing the likelihood of missed findings.
Clinical Performance: A 46% Improvement in Detection Sensitivity
One of the most impressive aspects of Smart View – Detect is its reported clinical performance.
According to Dentsply Sirona’s internal multi-reader, multi-case clinical study:
- Clinicians using the AI achieved approximately 46% higher tooth-level detection sensitivity for periapical radiolucencies compared with conventional CBCT review.
- The improvement was achieved without a meaningful increase in false-positive findings, suggesting that the software enhanced lesion detection while maintaining diagnostic specificity.
Although these results come from an internal validation study, they indicate the potential of AI to enhance diagnostic support in everyday clinical practice.
Helping Dentists Communicate Better With Patients
One of the biggest barriers to patient acceptance is helping them understand what the dentist sees on a radiographic image.
Many patients struggle to interpret grayscale CBCT images.
Smart View – Detect addresses this by clearly highlighting areas of concern directly on the scan.
This allows clinicians to:
- Explain pathology more effectively
- Improve patient understanding
- Increase treatment acceptance
- Build confidence during consultations
- Support informed decision-making
Better visualization can transform complex radiographic findings into conversations that patients can easily follow.
Designed for Existing Practices
Unlike many new digital technologies that require expensive hardware upgrades, Smart View – Detect is compatible with both newly installed and existing Dentsply Sirona CBCT systems.
Supported systems include:
- Orthophos S
- Orthophos SL
- Axeos
The software also supports all fields of view from 5 × 5 cm to 17 × 11 cm and can analyze both newly acquired scans and historical CBCT images transferred from Sidexis 4 into DS Core.
This makes adoption easier for practices already using Dentsply Sirona imaging equipment.
What This Means for the Future of Dentistry
Digital dentistry is rapidly moving beyond image acquisition toward intelligent image interpretation.
Instead of spending more time searching through hundreds of CBCT slices, clinicians may increasingly rely on AI to identify areas of interest, allowing them to focus on clinical judgment and treatment planning.
Smart View – Detect offers a glimpse into that future—one where artificial intelligence and clinical expertise work hand in hand to deliver better dental care.
Reference
Dentsply Sirona. Smart View – Detect: World’s First FDA-Cleared AI-Enabled Diagnostic Aid for Detecting Periapical Radiolucencies in CBCTs. Press Release, May 4, 2026.
