Artificial intelligence has spent the past few years moving into the parts of medicine that run on prediction: reading scans, mapping surgical plans, and flagging risks before they become problems. Orthodontics is a newer addition to that list, and a revealing one, because the technology is starting to change not just how a provider sees a case but when the decisions get made.
For decades, braces treatment has been reactive. A plan adjusts based on how teeth respond over time, with patients returning every few weeks to check whether things are on track. A Miramar, Florida, practice is using AI to move that decision-making to the front of the process, and to keep watching once treatment is underway.
SMILE-FX® Orthodontic & Clear Aligner Studio recently introduced AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX®, a treatment system that puts the planning work at the front of the process. Using 3D imaging, its own proprietary AI for treatment planning, and AI-driven remote monitoring, the practice aims to give patients a much clearer picture of their treatment before anything is placed on their teeth, and to keep that treatment on track once it begins.
What AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX® Actually Is
The SMILE-FX® AI BRACES™ System is essentially a rethinking of when and how treatment decisions get made.
The standard workflow in orthodontics has always been somewhat reactive. Plans adjust based on how teeth respond over time, which isn't inherently wrong, but it does leave a lot unresolved at the start. SMILE-FX® is building more of that resolution into the beginning. Digital records, which may include high-resolution 3D imaging of the patient's teeth and bite, are used to create a detailed anatomical model. From there, SMILE-FX®'s own proprietary AI models, not off-the-shelf imaging software, help the clinical team evaluate spacing, alignment, bite relationships, and how movement should progress across treatment stages, informing the treatment plan itself rather than just the imaging. That AI keeps working once treatment is underway: through AI-driven remote monitoring, patients submit smartphone images that the system reviews to flag potential issues between in-office visits, so problems can be caught earlier rather than at the next appointment.
Every plan is reviewed and approved by Dr. Tracy M. Liang, DDS, MS, board-certified orthodontist and the clinical lead at SMILE-FX®, before treatment begins.
"At SMILE-FX®, our goal is to use technology in a way that improves planning while preserving the importance of expert clinical judgment," Dr. Liang said. "AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX® is designed to help us plan more clearly from the beginning and give patients a better understanding of their treatment."
What AI Changes for Patients
Mostly the uncertainty. Braces treatment has always involved a fair amount of "we'll see how things go," and for a lot of patients, that ambiguity is the hardest part.
"Patients increasingly want clarity, personalization, and a more modern treatment experience," said Dr. Liang. "When digital planning and advanced imaging are paired with orthodontic expertise, it creates a stronger foundation for treatment."
The results of AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX® depend on the patient's anatomy, case complexity, and compliance. Dr. Liang's clinical judgment directs the treatment at every stage. But placing more emphasis on digital records and visualization before anything starts is a different approach than adjusting on the fly.
Orthodontics Isn't an Outlier Here
AI-supported planning tools have been moving into radiology, surgical prep, and dermatology for a while now. The logic is the same across all of them: decisions made earlier, with better information, tend to hold up better. The SMILE-FX® AI BRACES™ System is making that case for orthodontics in South Florida.
Not every patient will be a candidate, and Dr. Liang makes that call at the consultation. For those who are, SMILE-FX® is in Miramar and sees patients from Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miami Gardens, Weston, and around the broader Miami and Fort Lauderdale area. Scheduling is at smile-fx.com.
About SMILE-FX®
Dr. Tracy M. Liang started SMILE-FX® Orthodontic & Clear Aligner Studio in Miramar around a straightforward premise: better planning up front makes for better treatment. AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX® is what that looks like when you build it into a clinical system.
Treatment recommendations, timelines, and outcomes vary by patient and depend on individual anatomy, case complexity, oral health, and compliance. AI BRACES™ by SMILE-FX® is designed to support orthodontist-guided treatment planning and does not replace professional clinical judgment.
About The Author
Ben Delray writes about healthcare technology and how it plays out in actual clinical settings. He's particularly interested in the distance between what AI promises and what practitioners do with it.
