Can AI and Regenerative Dentistry End the Drill-and-Fill Era? with Dr Roumiana Tzvetkova

Send us Fan MailDrill and fill is not the only story dentistry can tell anymore. We sit down with Dr Roumiana Tzvetkova, a dentist and practice owner with a prevention-first philosophy, to talk about what it looks like to preserve natural teeth in the real world, especially when patients arrive carrying years of delay, anxiety, and limited dental benefits. If you’ve ever wondered whether modern dentistry can be gentler, clearer, and less reactive, this conversation brings practical answers. We dig into two game-changers reshaping clinical decisions and patient trust: AI in dentistry for earlier, clearer radiograph interpretation, and enamel regeneration for non-cavitated lesions. Roumiana explains how she uses the VIDIA AI platform as an aid, not a replacement, to spot small lesions the human eye may miss and to show patients what the clinician sees through colour-coded visuals. That transparency matters because it reduces suspicion, supports informed consent, and often improves treatment acceptance without turning care into a sales pitch. Then we get scientific and practical about prevention-focused dentistry, including Curodont by vVardis (Vivardis) and how enamel remineralisation works by rebuilding hydroxyapatite using minerals from saliva. We also tackle common oral health myths, from “I stopped flossing because my gums bleed” to the belief that implants are a simple cosmetic upgrade. On the business side, we talk dental practice ownership challenges, rising costs, the limits of insurance incentives, and why dental fear still drives no-shows and last-minute walkouts. If you care about minimally invasive dentistry, early cavity detection, better patient communication, and a future where healthcare prevents disease instead of managing it, you’ll get a lot from this one. Subscribe for more conversations on innovation in healthcare, share this episode with someone who avoids the dentist, and leave a review with your biggest question about AI-assisted diagnosis or tooth preservation.Guest Biography Dr Roumiana Tzvetkova, DMD is a dentist and practice owner at Aspen Dental in Long Island, New York. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, she has over a decade of clinical experience and is passionate about minimally invasive, prevention-focused dentistry. A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Dr Tzvetkova is recognised for her work with AI-assisted diagnostics and regenerative dental technologies. She has become one of Aspen Dental's leading providers of Curodont, a groundbreaking treatment designed to regenerate enamel and reverse early-stage tooth decay. Her mission is simple: preserve natural teeth whenever possible and help patients avoid unnecessary and costly dental procedures through early intervention and education.LinksWebsite: https://www.aspendental.com/providers/roumiana-tzvetkova/1508426123/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roumiana-t-55b97119a/Subscribe on SubstackVoices in Health and Wellness is published on Substack, as part of The Diagnostician. Every episode lands there with written notes and reflections you won't find in the podcast feed. Free to subscribe.👉 https://thediagnostician.substack.com/s/voices-in-health-and-wellnessAbout the podcastVoices in Health and Wellness features conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential, with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.About Dr Andrew GreenlandUK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Trained in both conventional and root-cause approaches, Andrew helps people optimise health, performance, and longevity, with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.