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Digital dentistry: definition, technologies, and clinical impact
Digital dentistry is the use of digital technologies such as scanners and software to plan, design, and deliver dental treatments in clinical and laboratory settings. It replaces physical impressions with digital workflows that capture and process 3D dental data.
These workflows support diagnosis, treatment planning, and the production of dental restorations such as crowns, implants, and aligners.
Digital dentistry workflows have developed alongside broader advances in dental technology, enabling clinicians and laboratories to use digital records, software-based design, and automated manufacturing methods to produce dental restorations. Clinical research indicates that digital workflows can improve consistency and efficiency in dental treatment processes, supporting their adoption across modern dental practice 1.
What is digital dentistry?
Digital dentistry covers the technologies and workflows used to carry out dental treatments using digital systems instead of traditional manual methods, with studies showing comparable or improved accuracy compared to conventional approaches 2. It includes tools for capturing clinical data using digital scanning technologies in dentistry, planning treatments, and producing dental devices with a high level of precision 3.
In practice, digital dentistry is used across multiple stages of care:
- Capture clinical data using scanners or imaging systems
- Plan treatments and design restorations using dental software and CAD/CAM systems
- Produce dental devices using milling or 3D printing
- Share case data between clinics and labs via digital files
These tools are used by dentists and dental labs throughout diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication. In practical terms, this includes digital workflows that are commonly used to design and produce restorations such as crowns, bridges, veneers, and orthodontic aligners, based on digital models of the patient’s teeth.
The key difference from traditional dentistry is how information is handled. Instead of working with physical impressions, plaster models, and manual processes, digital dentistry uses 3D data that can be processed, stored, and transferred directly between systems. This can reduce the number of manual steps and support more efficient production processes 3.
What is the difference between digital and traditional dentistry?
Digital dentistry uses 3D data captured through scanning and imaging systems, while traditional dentistry relies on physical impressions and manual fabrication processes. Digital workflows allow data to be processed, stored, and shared more efficiently, whereas traditional methods depend on physical models and multiple manual steps. Both approaches are used in clinical practice depending on the case and available technology.
What does a digital dentistry workflow involve?
A digital dentistry workflow typically involves capturing clinical data using scanners or imaging systems, planning treatment using software, designing restorations with CAD/CAM tools, and producing them using milling or 3D printing. The process replaces physical materials with digital data that moves between clinical and laboratory stages.
Which dental treatments use digital technology?
Digital dentistry is used across a range of treatments, including crowns and bridges, dental implants, orthodontic aligners, and dentures. It is also used in diagnostic workflows and treatment planning, where digital models support more detailed analysis and communication.
Digital technologies used in dentistry
Digital dentistry relies on a set of digital tools and technologies that support different stages of treatment — from data capture to clinical delivery and adjustment.
Key categories include:
- Scanning equipment : To capture 3D data of teeth and soft tissue using scanners and digital dental impression technology
- CAD/CAM systems: Used to design and produce dental restorations
- Digital imaging systems: To provide images used for diagnosis and treatment planning
- Manufacturing technologies: To produce dental devices using milling or 3D printing
- Clinical delivery and adjustment tools: Used to fit, adjust, and refine dental restorations and appliances during treatment
These technologies are used across a range of clinical applications. For example, intraoral scanners and digital design software are used to create crowns, bridges, and veneers, while orthodontic workflows use digital models to plan and produce aligners. Implant treatments use digital imaging and planning tools to support surgical placement and restoration design.
In orthodontic treatments, digital technologies support planning and production of appliances such as invisible aligners.
Digital workflow in dentistry
A digital dentistry workflow is a step-by-step process used to capture, plan, produce, and deliver dental treatment using digital data. In orthodontics, structured processes such as the orthodontic digital workflow are used to manage treatment planning and appliance production.
The workflow typically follows four main steps:
Data capture
You capture clinical data using digital scanners or imaging systems. This creates a 3D model of the patient’s teeth and oral structures.
Digital planning and design
The captured data is then used in CAD/CAM software to plan the treatment and design the restoration.
Manufacturing
Once the design is finalized, it is sent to a production system, where the dental device is created using milling or 3D printing.
Clinical delivery and adjustment
The final device is then placed, adjusted, and checked in the clinical setting.
This workflow replaces physical materials with digital data and allows information to move directly between different stages of treatment. This structured digital workflow reduces the number of manual steps, shortens turnaround times, and improves coordination between clinics and labs 3.
Clinical studies and industry research indicate that structured digital workflows contribute to more consistent treatment outcomes and more predictable production processes in dental care.
Why digital dentistry matters in clinical practice
Digital dentistry affects how treatments are planned, delivered, and experienced. It changes both clinical outcomes and how dental practices operate.
Clinical benefits
These improvements are linked to how accurately clinical data is captured and how consistently it is used throughout the treatment process.
In implant dentistry, technologies such as implant surgical guide support more precise planning and execution of treatment.
In esthetic dentistry, tools such as virtual smile design allow patients to visualize treatment outcomes before procedures begin.
This is reflected in the following clinical outcomes:
- Improved precision and consistency in treatment planning and outcomes 2
- Better diagnostics and planning based on detailed digital data 4
- Reduced errors compared to manual workflows 2
For a deeper look at how digital workflows impact treatment outcomes, refer to the free ebook: Because quality treatment matters to me.
Operational efficiency
Digital dentistry can improve workflow efficiency by reducing manual steps and enabling faster coordination between clinics and labs, which can reduce chair time.
This is reflected in the following workflow improvements:
- Reduced manual steps in both clinical and laboratory workflows 3
- Faster turnaround times for design and manufacturing 3
- Improved collaboration between clinics and labs via digital data exchange
Impact on education and future adoption
As digital tools become more widely used, dental education and training programs are evolving to include digital workflows and technologies.
This shift is reflected in the following areas:
- Integration of digital tools into dental education and training programs 5
- Increased focus on developing skills in digital workflows and software
- Adoption of digital dentistry across practices and regions 6 7
For additional insights, case examples, and practical guidance, visit the 3Shape blog.
Summary
- Digital dentistry uses digital technologies to plan, design, and deliver dental treatments in clinical and laboratory settings. Adoption has increased in recent years, although conventional methods are still widely used in many practices 2 6 7
- Digital workflows support more consistent and efficient treatment processes by using structured digital data across planning, design, and manufacturing stages 3
- Digital dentistry can improve the patient experience by reducing discomfort and enabling clearer communication during treatment planning 2
Resources
- 3Shape Scientific Research Overview, Clinical Affairs, 2020: 34 clinical studies report statistically superior accuracy with TRIOS (2017–2019).
- Chandran S. et al. Digital Versus Conventional Impressions in Dentistry: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 2019: 67% of studies show digital impressions are more accurate; 92% show the same level of clinical acceptability; 80% of patients and 88% of clinicians prefer digital impressions over conventional.
- Guichet D. Digitally enhanced dentistry: the power of digital design. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2015.
- Pentapati KC, Siddiq H. Clinical applications of intraoral camera. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2019.
- Evans J et al. The future of education and training in dental technology. Br Dent J. 2010.
- Shah V. Digital Dentistry — The Future of Oral Health (2020).
- Weintraub JA. What Should Oral Health Professionals Know in 2040. J Dent Educ. 2017.