The short answer: Teledentistry means getting dental advice or care remotely, by video call, by sending photos or X-rays for a dentist to review, through remote monitoring or through phone apps and text messages. It works well for advice, triage, follow-ups and prevention: in trials, reminder apps and text messages reduced plaque, gum inflammation and early decay spots. Dentists looking at photos can spot many cavities, but they can’t clean your teeth, take X-rays or treat problems remotely, so teledentistry supplements in-person check-ups rather than replacing them. The dentist must be licensed in the state where you are, and the standard of care should be the same as in person.
Teledentistry is the use of telehealth systems in dentistry, and the American Dental Association recognizes four forms: live video consultations, “store and forward” of photos, X-rays or scans for a dentist to review later, remote monitoring of health data, and care delivered through mobile devices (American Dental Association, 2020). A systematic review found it to be a viable option for remote screening, diagnosis, consultation and treatment planning, with high acceptance among both dentists and patients (Irving et al., 2018).
This guide explains what teledentistry can and can’t do, how accurate remote diagnosis is, what the evidence shows for prevention, the rules that protect you, and when you still need to see a dentist in person.
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How does teledentistry work?
There are four main ways (American Dental Association, 2020):
- Live video: a real-time, two-way conversation with a dentist using audio and video.
- Store and forward: photos, X-rays, videos or digital scans are sent for a dentist to review later.
- Remote patient monitoring: health information is collected electronically and sent to a dental team elsewhere.
- Mobile health (mHealth): care and education delivered through phones and tablets, such as apps and text messages.
Whatever the format, the ADA says teledentistry services should be delivered in a way that is consistent with how they would be delivered in person (American Dental Association, 2020).
Can a dentist diagnose problems online?
Some problems, yes. A 2025 meta-analysis of 12 studies compared looking at teeth remotely, through photos or video, with an in-person exam for finding cavities. Remote assessment caught between 45.6% and 88.3% of cavities and correctly cleared between 55.2% and 98.3% of healthy teeth, depending on the study, and the authors judged it comparable to in-person diagnosis (Casas et al., 2025). An earlier review reached a similar conclusion but noted that the studies were few and of low quality (Estai et al., 2016).
What remote care can’t do is replace the hands-on parts of a check-up. A video call can’t take X-rays, measure gum pockets, clean your teeth or place a filling, and many early problems are found only with those tools; see how dentists find cavities and gum disease early. AI software that reads photos and X-rays may make remote assessment more accurate in future; our article on AI in dentistry covers what is available now.
Does teledentistry help prevent cavities and gum disease?
The prevention evidence is encouraging. A meta-analysis of 19 trials, mostly using apps and text messages, found that teledentistry compared with usual approaches may produce a large reduction in plaque (low certainty) and will likely produce a large reduction in gum inflammation and in new white spot lesions, the earliest visible sign of decay (risk ratio 0.48, moderate certainty) (Fernández et al., 2021).
Most of those trials involved young people, many of them wearing braces, where white spot lesions are a common problem, and the authors called for studies in adults and older people (Fernández et al., 2021). If you have braces, our guide to braces covers cleaning around them.
What can’t teledentistry do?
Teledentistry is limited to what can be seen, heard and sent. Several core parts of dental care need you in the chair:
- New X-rays: a dentist can review X-rays already taken, but new ones need equipment at the practice (American Dental Association, 2020).
- Gum checks: measuring the pockets around teeth with a probe is how gum disease is staged; see our guide to gum disease.
- Cleaning: removing hardened tartar needs professional instruments.
- Treatment: fillings, root canals, extractions and fitting crowns or braces all happen in person.
Remote diagnosis is also only as good as the images. Accuracy for finding cavities varied widely between studies, and the evidence base is still small (Estai et al., 2016; Casas et al., 2025). So a remote opinion that “everything looks fine” is not the same as a full check-up, and regular in-person visits remain important; our guide on how to prevent cavities explains why.
How can you get the most out of a virtual dental visit?
A few simple steps help the dentist see what they need to, since they are relying on what you can show and tell them (American Dental Association, 2020):
- Use good light and a steady camera, and take close, in-focus photos of the area from more than one angle.
- Note when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and whether you have swelling or a fever.
- Have a list of your medicines and any health conditions ready.
- Ask your regular dentist to share recent X-rays or records, if you have them.
- Ask what happens next, and when you need to be seen in person.
What are the benefits of teledentistry?
The clearest benefit is access. Reviews describe it as a way to improve access to care, bringing screening and specialist advice to people who find it hard to get to a dentist and letting experienced dentists mentor colleagues remotely (Irving et al., 2018). It can also save travel, and some studies suggest remote consultations cost less, although high-quality cost studies are still rare (Estai et al., 2018).
Common uses include screening, consultations and treatment planning, and getting a specialist’s opinion on photos, X-rays or scans sent by your dentist (Irving et al., 2018; American Dental Association, 2020).
What rules protect you?
In the US, dentists who provide care through teledentistry must be licensed or credentialed under the laws of the state where the patient receives the service (American Dental Association, 2020). The ADA’s policy also sets out patient rights, including being able to check the dentist’s license, giving informed consent, having your care documented and having your privacy protected (American Dental Association, 2020).
These protections matter most when a company offers treatment, such as clear aligners, based mainly on remote assessment. Aligners only work well when the case suits them and they are worn as directed (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026); our aligners vs. braces guide explains which cases are better suited to braces.
What it means for you
If you have a toothache or a dental problem
A remote consultation can help decide how urgently you need to be seen and what to do in the meantime, but most problems still need an in-person exam (Irving et al., 2018). For pain relief while you wait, see how to relieve a toothache at home.
If you live far from a dentist
Ask whether your dental practice or a local service offers video consultations or photo reviews, which can save unnecessary trips (Irving et al., 2018; Estai et al., 2018).
If you’re offered treatment without an in-person exam
Check that the dentist is licensed in your state and ask whether X-rays and an exam will be done before treatment, since care should meet the same standard as an in-person visit (American Dental Association, 2020).
Questions to ask your dentist
- Are you licensed in the state where I am?
- What can you assess remotely, and when will I need to come in?
- Will I need X-rays or an in-person exam before any treatment?
- How is my information stored and protected?
- Is the remote consultation covered by my insurance, and what does it cost?
When to see a dentist
Book an in-person dental visit if (NHS, 2024; NHS, 2025):
- You have toothache that lasts more than 2 days
- You have a sharp pain when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet things
- You notice white, brown or black spots on a tooth
- Your gums are painful, swollen or bleed when you brush
Go to an emergency room right away if the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or if swelling makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak (NHS, 2024). For a knocked-out tooth and other urgent problems, see what to do in a dental emergency.
The bottom line
Teledentistry, by video, photos, remote monitoring or apps, is a useful addition to dental care. Remote assessment can spot many cavities, apps and text messages improved oral hygiene in trials, and it can widen access for people far from a dentist. But it can’t take X-rays, clean teeth or treat problems, so it supplements rather than replaces in-person care, and the dentist must be licensed where you are (Casas et al., 2025; Fernández et al., 2021; American Dental Association, 2020).
References
American Association of Orthodontists. (2026). Braces vs. clear aligners: Which treatment is best for you? https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/braces-vs-clear-aligners/
American Dental Association. (2020). ADA policy on teledentistry. https://www.ada.org/about/governance/current-policies/ada-policy-on-teledentistry
Casas K, DiPede L, Toema S, Ogwo C. (2025). Assessing teledentistry versus in-person examinations to detect dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JDR Clinical & Translational Research, 11(1), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/23800844251320974
Estai M, Bunt S, Kanagasingam Y, Kruger E, Tennant M. (2016). Diagnostic accuracy of teledentistry in the detection of dental caries: A systematic review. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, 16(3), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebdp.2016.08.003
Estai M, Kanagasingam Y, Tennant M, Bunt S. (2018). A systematic review of the research evidence for the benefits of teledentistry. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(3), 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16689433
Fernández CE, Maturana CA, Coloma SI, Carrasco-Labra A, Giacaman RA. (2021). Teledentistry and mHealth for promotion and prevention of oral health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dental Research, 100(9), 914–927. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345211003828
Irving M, Stewart R, Spallek H, Blinkhorn A. (2018). Using teledentistry in clinical practice as an enabler to improve access to clinical care: A qualitative systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(3), 129–146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16686776
NHS. (2024). Toothache. https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/toothache/
NHS. (2025). Tooth decay. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/
References checked October 2026 · Editorial policy · Report a correction
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