Digital Dentistry in Clinical Practice: A Scoping Review of Current Capabilities and Future Directions

Abstract

Digital technologies are transforming oral healthcare by enhancing prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and maintenance procedures. However, few comprehensive reviews have synthesized their clinical applications across dental disciplines. This scoping review maps the clinical applications of digital dentistry and informed the development of a 2025 FDI Policy Statement that will guide stakeholders in recognizing both significant advances and ongoing challenges. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science identified 407 eligible articles. Applications clustered into 2 domains: Disease prevention and diagnosis - preventive dentistry (n = 39), cariology (n = 26), and periodontology (n = 16), and Management of disease consequences and patient care - prosthodontics (n = 127), oral and maxillofacial surgery (n = 112), orthodontics (n = 26), and perioperative management (n = 61). Digital dentistry encompasses artificial intelligence, computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technologies, computer-assisted surgery systems, digital imaging, teledentistry, and related devices and systems. Evidence supporting digital applications should be critically evaluated, and professional judgment must remain central to patient care. Advancing the field will require more standardized, high‑quality data and clinical research to establish robust evidence of real‑world impact.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. International Dental Journal, 2025 · DOI ↗