Digitalisation in Dentistry: Development and Practices

Abstract

In the past few years, digital dental workflow has gradually replaced the conventional dental workflow in a growing number of developed countries. The digital dental workflow is beneficial in saving time for patients, dentists and dental technicians alike. Generally, digital workflow in dentistry consists of image acquisitions, data processing and digital manufacturing. The imaging acquisition devices, including intraoral scanners, extra-oral scanners and CT (computed tomography), can convert the shapes of the patient tissues into three-dimensional (3D) data. These 3D data can be further edited using CAD (computer-aided design) software. With the help of computer-numeric-controlled milling technologies and 3D printing, it is possible to create dental prosthesis even within one hour. Digitalisation not only revolutionises the workflow of dentists and dental technicians, it also changes the dental industrial ecology. Many young companies, which were not present in the market ten years ago, have become global leaders in different sectors of digital dentistry. As such, digitalisation in the dental industry is an ongoing revolution that will undoubtedly shape the future of dentistry.