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Independent. Every regulatory claim links to its FDA filing.Editorial policyCorrectionsUpdated Oct 26, 2026
AI Dental ToolsThe independent reference for AI in dental practice
Bottom line

Pearl covers the widest range of dental pathologies in a single FDA-cleared product. Retrace targets the treatment planning and case presentation side of dental AI, which is a different niche from the diagnostic imaging tools (Overjet, Pearl, VideaHealth) that dominate the dental AI conversation.

Pearl or Retrace: which should you choose?

Choose Pearl if
  • Multi-condition screening on bitewings and periapicals
  • Case acceptance conversations with AI-annotated x-rays
  • Practice-wide quality metrics via the analytics dashboard
Choose Retrace if
  • Generating treatment plans with AI assistance
  • Presenting treatment options visually to patients

Pearl vs Retrace: FDA clearances, price and integrations side by side

PearlRetrace
VendorPearl Inc. · Los Angeles, CARetrace
CategoryImaging & diagnosticsPractice management
FDA 510(k)K250525 (Nov 14, 2025); K243234 (Jun 12, 2025); K243989 (May 23, 2025); K243230 (May 9, 2025); K243893 (May 5, 2025); K242600 (Apr 11, 2025); K242522 (Jan 16, 2025); K210365 (Mar 4, 2022)None confirmed
Cleared forMarks suspected caries, periapical radiolucency and impacted third molars on panoramic radiographs, patients 16 and older. / Second Opinion CS: detection and segmentation of caries on periapical radiographs, permanent teeth, patients 12 and older (second reader). / Second Opinion 3D: marks anatomy on CBCT (dentition, maxilla, mandible, inferior alveolar canal, sinus, airway). / Second Opinion BLE: bone-level measurements on bitewing and periapical radiographs, patients 12 and older. / Second Opinion Pediatric: caries detection on bitewing and periapical radiographs, patients 4 and older (primary or mixed dentition). / Periapical radiolucency detection with outlined regions on periapical radiographs, permanent teeth, patients 12 and older (second reader). / Second Opinion CC: caries detection with outlined regions on bitewing and periapical radiographs, patients 19 and older (second reader). / Second Opinion: detection of caries, calculus, periapical radiolucency and other findings on bitewing and periapical radiographs.—
Imaging modalitiesbitewing, periapical, CBCT—
PricingNot published (Contact sales)Not published (Contact sales)
IntegrationsEaglesoft, Dentrix, Open Dental, Curve Dental, Carestack—
Best fitgroup, dso—
Last verifiedOct 22, 2026Oct 21, 2026

From each vendor's site and the FDA 510(k) database.

Strengths and limits

Pearl
  • Detects more pathology types than most competitors in a single analysis
  • Widest PMS integration coverage, working with 5+ major systems
  • Practice Intelligence adds business analytics on top of clinical detection
  • Enterprise pricing model; cost unclear until sales conversation
  • Detection accuracy is condition-dependent, strongest on caries, weaker on marginal bone loss
Retrace
  • Addresses the treatment planning and case presentation workflow rather than diagnostic imaging
  • May complement diagnostic AI tools like Overjet, Pearl, or VideaHealth
  • No confirmed FDA 510(k) clearance. Practices should verify regulatory status before clinical use
  • Less publicly documented than established dental AI competitors

Next steps

Common questions

What is the difference between Pearl and Retrace?

Pearl covers the widest range of dental pathologies in a single FDA-cleared product. Retrace targets the treatment planning and case presentation side of dental AI, which is a different niche from the diagnostic imaging tools (Overjet, Pearl, VideaHealth) that dominate the dental AI conversation.

Which is FDA cleared, Pearl or Retrace?

Pearl: K250525, K243234, K243989, K243230, K243893, K242600, K242522, K210365. Retrace: no clearance confirmed. Check the scope of each clearance; features outside it are not cleared.