S02 E09 Insights with Pearl AI’s CEO on Dental Diagnostics

by  Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny

January 21, 2025

In this episode of the Digital Dentistry Decoded podcast, we welcome a very special guest - Ophir Tanz, CEO of Pearl AI.

We talk about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in dental diagnostics and practice management.

Listen to our podcast episode below or continue reading the highlights below.

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The Genesis of Pearl AI

Pearl's journey into dental AI began in 2015, emerging from Ophir Tanz's extensive background in computer vision and artificial intelligence.

With over two decades of experience in applied AI, Ophir Tanz identified dentistry as uniquely positioned for AI adoption. As he explains, "I started incubating this in 2015 for dentistry... after a lot of analysis, it's my opinion that dentistry is very uniquely suited for the adoption of this technology much more rapidly than the rest of medicine."

Addressing Critical Diagnostic Challenges

The statistics surrounding dental diagnostics are sobering according to Ophir:

  • 43% of caries go undiagnosed

  • 20% of diagnosed caries aren't actually decay

  • 49% of periapical lesions remain undetected

Pearl's Second Opinion AI system has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, with Ophir Tanz noting, "We pick up on average 37% more disease per radiograph encountered." This capability enables earlier intervention and more preventative care approaches.

Continuous Evolution

One of the most impressive aspects of Pearl's commitment to excellence is their release cycle. "We release new models on average every three weeks," Ophir Tanz reveals, highlighting the company's dedication to continuous improvement and refinement of their AI capabilities.

Global Impact and Regulatory Achievement

Pearl's influence extends across six continents, with regulatory clearance in 120 countries. This global presence underscores their commitment to establishing AI as a fundamental utility in dental practices worldwide.

As Ophir Tanz predicts, "I think this is a standard of care. I think it will become as fundamental as water and power in a dental practice."

Integration and Workflow Optimization

Understanding the fragmented nature of dental technology, Pearl has successfully integrated with 30 different imaging and practice management platforms globally. This integration-first approach ensures seamless adoption and utilization of their AI tools within existing practice workflows.

The Future of Dental AI

Looking ahead, Ophir Tanz envisions AI becoming an indispensable part of every dental practice. He emphasizes that AI won't replace dentists but will automate repetitive tasks, allowing practitioners to focus more on patient care and communication.

"AI will not replace humans in relation to radiographic review and other tasks, but humans that choose not to use AI will be replaced by the humans that are working with the AI."

To gain deeper insights into the future of dental diagnostics and hear more about Pearl AI's revolutionary approach, listen to the full episode of Digital Dentistry Decoded. This conversation between Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny and Ophir Tanz offers invaluable perspectives on how AI is reshaping dental practice and improving patient care outcomes.

For dental professionals looking to stay at the forefront of technological advancement, this episode provides essential insights into the future of dental diagnostics and practice management. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's leading innovators.

Listen to the full episode now on your preferred podcast platform and join the digital dentistry revolution.


Digital Dentistry Decoded Podcast


The Digital Dentistry Podcast takes you behind the scenes with the people shaping the future of dentistry. Hosted by Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny, founder of the Institute of Digital Dentistry, each episode features candid conversations with world-renowned clinicians, pioneering researchers, visionary entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives from the industry's leading companies.

Together, we explore the technologies, trends, and business decisions driving digital dentistry forward, from AI, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM, and 3D printing to product innovation, clinical workflows, market insights, and the future of oral healthcare.

Whether you're a dentist, dental technician, educator, or industry professional, you'll gain exclusive access to the minds influencing the next generation of dentistry.

About the author 

Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny

Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny is a globally recognised leader in digital dentistry, intraoral scanning, 3D printing, and CAD/CAM, and the Director of the Institute of Digital Dentistry (iDD), a world-leading digital dentistry education provider. A full-time private dentist in New Zealand and international Key Opinion Leader for many of the industry’s leading companies, he is one of the few clinicians worldwide to personally own, test, and compare virtually every mainstream intraoral scanner and CAD/CAM system in real-world clinical practice. Beyond education, Dr Ahmad works within his family-owned dental business in Wellington, New Zealand, which operates 43 dental operatories, alongside a full-service digital dental laboratory with six technicians and a clear aligner manufacturing company. This unique combination of clinical dentistry, education, laboratory workflows, manufacturing, and extensive hands-on technology testing gives him a practical, independent perspective on how digital dentistry performs and scales in the real world.

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