Artificial intelligence (AI) is finally taking a seat in the dentist’s chair—and it’s reshaping how patients, providers, and insurers interact. From detecting dental disease with precision to helping patients understand treatment costs upfront, AI is building trust where confusion once reigned.
Leading this transformation is Overjet, a San Mateo, CA-based startup founded by MIT PhD Wardah Inam. In just a few years, Overjet dental AI has earned FDA clearance and serves over 113 million Americans through partnerships with dental practices, insurers, and dental schools. It landed on the Forbes AI 50 2022 list.
“At the end of this decade, there will be two types of companies, those that use AI and those that are out of business,” said Dr. Yahya Mansour, co-founder and Chief Dental Officer at Rodeo Dental. “AI-assisted imaging like Overjet is the key to detecting diseases early and helping our patients’ health and wellness.”
Why Patients Don’t Trust Their Dental Diagnoses
A 2024 survey by Overjet of 1,000 adults found that while 78% of respondents see a dentist at least once a year, only 55% reported a complete understanding of their diagnosis. Over a third reported feeling pressured into treatments they weren’t sure were necessary, and 39% said they had sought a second opinion before agreeing to major procedures.
Inam experienced that disconnect firsthand. “I went to two different dentists a few months apart and got completely different treatment plans,” she recalled. “It felt more like an art than a science.”
That inconsistency was part of what inspired her to found Overjet in 2018 while she was finishing her PhD at MIT. She developed an AI tool that could analyze dental X-rays with the same accuracy as a trained professional—but with greater consistency and explainability.
AI Tools Help Dental Patients See and Understand Problems
Overjet’s software doesn’t just identify disease; it shows patients what’s happening in their mouths in a clear and easy-to-understand way. The AI highlights areas of concern directly on the X-ray—such as cavities or bone loss—and then quantifies the severity.
In Overjet’s recent survey, 85% said they’d feel more confident if they could see their diagnosis, and 72% said they’d be more likely to accept treatment if shown AI findings. “Patients can now see exactly where the issue is and how much it’s progressed,” Inam emphasized. “It’s not just about detection. It’s about turning that information into something patients can act on.”
It’s no surprise the market is growing fast. The global AI dentistry market is valued at $421 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.1 billion by 2034, reflecting a surge in demand for tools that make diagnosis more transparent and care more accessible.
“Overjet’s AI is a game-changer from a clinical perspective,” commented Dr. Mark Sivers, chief clinical officer at Aligned Dental Partners. “[It] creates a common language between providers and payers, so our business can move much faster.”
AI Reduces Dental Claim Denials And Payment Delays
While improving diagnosis is critical, Overjet is also tackling another thorny issue in dental care: insurance. Patients often leave the dentist unsure what their treatment will cost—or what will be covered. In Overjet’s survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents said they felt “confused and uncertain” about the cost of dental work.
Overjet’s new Review Pass tool helps remove that uncertainty. With one click, dental practices can check in real-time whether a treatment will be covered and what the patient will owe.
“No more surprise bills,” Inam said. “Now patients can make informed decisions before they commit to treatment.”
It’s not just patients who benefit. Practices are experiencing faster claim approvals and fewer denials, while insurers receive cleaner submissions supported by annotated evidence.
Review Pass helps get answers immediately and avoid the back-and-forth. “We’ve seen our average reimbursement period drop dramatically,” explains Sivers.
Real-Time Cost Estimates Build Patient Confidence
Dental insurance has long lagged behind medical insurance in clarity and coordination. Overjet’s real-time tools are helping close that gap—and not just for patients.
Overjet helps dentists and insurers reduce miscommunication making the patient experience smoother. “People thought it was naïve to think we could get providers and payers on the same page,” Inam noted. “But we sat them in a room, talked it through, and found common ground. Everyone wants to serve the patient. AI just helps make that possible.”
AI Is Reshaping Dental Care
Overjet’s growth reflects a broader shift in dentistry—from reactive care to proactive, tech-enabled solutions. The company’s tools are now used in dental practices nationwide, as well as by major insurance carriers and dental schools, which train future clinicians.
“We’ve gone from detecting one indication—like bone loss—to covering everything a dentist looks for on an X-ray,” Inam said.
Yet, raising early-stage capital wasn’t easy for Inam. As a first-time founder coming from academia, she lacked the investor network many tech entrepreneurs take for granted. As a woman building a company in an overlooked corner of healthcare, she often had to provide more evidence than her peers to be taken seriously. “People wanted results before they were willing to believe in the possibility,” she recalled.
Her breakthrough came after months of bootstrapping, when a chance conversation in an Uber pool ride led to a meeting with a dentist, who became her first angel investor. From there, she secured a pre-seed investment from MIT’s 14 Fund, building momentum with early customer interest from both dental practices and insurers. She has gone on to raise $133 million, including a $53 million Series C round raised last year.
“Overjet has become the market leader in the dental AI category,” said Solomon Hailu, Partner at March Capital and investor. “[It’s establishing] a new, AI-enabled standard of care.”
AI is transforming dentistry. For Inam, the real success is in helping patients feel seen, heard, and cared for. “Overjet isn’t just software,” she said. “It’s a step toward a more transparent, trustworthy dental experience—for everyone.”
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