Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly presented as a transformative technology for periodontology, particularly for radiographic bone-loss detection, risk stratification, and personalized follow-up. Yet high performance in retrospective datasets should not be confused with clinical benefit. This Commentary argues that the field should move from celebrating algorithmic accuracy to demonstrating dependable, equitable, and useful decision support in real periodontal workflows. AI should augment—not replace—clinical examination, professional judgment, and patient communication. Priority should be given to representative multicenter datasets, external and prospective validation, interpretable outputs, privacy-preserving data governance, and evaluation of patient-relevant outcomes. The most credible near-term role for AI is therefore a supervised second reader and monitoring aid. Responsible adoption will depend less on increasingly complex models than on transparent evidence, accountable implementation, and sustained clinician oversight.