Digital dentistry workflows explained: definition and clinical integration

A digital dentistry workflow describes how clinical and laboratory steps are connected through digital data, software, and manufacturing processes. It defines how information moves from initial data capture to the final delivery of a restoration or appliance.

Rather than being a single tool or system, a digital workflow brings together multiple components that work as a coordinated process. These components may be implemented fully digitally or combined with conventional steps depending on the clinical situation. These workflows connect software, hardware, and clinical and laboratory professionals into a single, coordinated process.

A digital dentistry workflow typically includes:

• Digital data acquisition through intraoral scanning or digitized impressions
• Treatment planning and design using dental CAD/CAM software
• Manufacturing of restorations or appliances using milling or 3D printing
• Clinical delivery and adjustment of the final prosthesis
• Digital storage and archiving of case data for future reference

Digital dentistry workflows connect clinical and laboratory processes through shared digital data. This affects how cases are communicated, how efficiently they are handled, and how consistently results are achieved.

Clinical–laboratory integration

In digital workflows, collaboration is supported through systems that allow clinics and laboratories to exchange case data and communicate digitally. This may include open or partially open platforms such as a workflow engine that support collaboration with multiple laboratories and partners.

Instead of transferring physical impressions or models, digital files can be shared directly.

This supports:

• Faster communication between clinic and laboratory
• Sharing of case data, images, and additional information
• Use of cloud-based collaboration and case management systems
• Improved coordination between clinical and laboratory teams
• Interoperability between systems and workflows

This supports data continuity across the workflow.

Efficiency gains

Digital workflows reduce the number of manual steps involved in traditional processes. Tasks such as mixing materials, model production, and shipping can be minimized or removed, when working from a digital impression.

This leads to:

• Faster turnaround times
• Reduced number of clinical visits in some cases
• Less time spent on manual adjustments
• More efficient case handling

The level of efficiency depends on how much of the workflow is digitized and how it is implemented in practice. In some cases, clinicians report handling a higher number of cases within the same timeframe.

Accuracy and standardization

Digital workflows support consistent results by reducing the variability introduced by physical materials and manual processes. By working with digital data throughout the workflow, clinicians and technicians can reduce sources of distortion and improve consistency across cases.

This contributes to:

• Improved consistency in design and fit
• Fewer errors related to material handling
• Reliable outcomes across cases
• Better control during planning and design

These outcomes depend on the quality of the input data and how the workflow is managed.

Digital and conventional dentistry workflows differ in how clinical data is captured, processed, and used throughout treatment. While conventional workflows rely on physical materials and manual steps, digital workflows use digital data and software to support planning, communication, and execution.

Digitization is not an all-or-nothing process. A clinic or laboratory may digitize one part of the workflow, such as imaging, while continuing to use conventional methods for other stages, as highlighted in the DMFR study 1.

Studies indicate that the limitations of complete digital workflows are gradually being overcome 2.

These differences can be summarized across key aspects of the workflow:

Digital workflows reduce the need for manual steps such as material preparation, model production, and physical transport. Conventional workflows rely more heavily on these processes, which can introduce additional handling and intermediate stages.

Both approaches are used in practice, and workflows may combine digital and conventional steps depending on the clinical situation and how much of the process is digitized. A comparison of a digital and conventional single-crown workflow shows how these differences appear in a common restorative treatment.

In 2022, less than 3% of dentures produced around the world were produced with the help of digital tools such as scanners. Using these tools can reduce a patient’s clinic visits to two or three, versus five in a conventional workflow. This means there is a potential for time savings for the 97% analog denture cases.

Some of the leading experts in the field of dentures agreed that scanning and producing digital dentures does not only lead to a reduction in chair time and less appointments, but also to higher consistency in the quality, design, and overall fit of the prosthesis. Download their ebooks with example workflows below.

A digital dentistry workflow is an integrated process that uses digital data, software-based design, and computer-aided manufacturing to plan and deliver dental treatments. It connects clinical and laboratory steps through shared digital files.

The workflow follows a structured sequence: capturing clinical data through digital impressions, designing the restoration or appliance, manufacturing it using milling or 3D printing, and delivering the final result. Digital data is used throughout the process and can be stored for future use.

Digital workflows support integration between clinics and laboratories by enabling shared access to case data throughout the treatment process. They also reduce manual steps and support more efficient handling of cases.

For cosmetic dentistry, we also see how digital technologies provide clinicians and dental ceramists with sophisticated tools and software to reach precision and esthetics.

Practitioners have said that using digital imagery, digital smile design software and combining these in the right dental CAD software can lead to fewer patient visits and elevate the patient experience and treatment outcome.

When looking at what makes or breaks a successful digital dentistry workflow, we can conclude that a great digital impression is the first step in delivering a successful patient outcome. The engine and ecosystem behind the scanner is the next step: it is what unlocks a world of opportunities with the scan.

When looking at the software and systems, it is important to look at what workflow possibilities it comes with. Some suppliers of digital dentistry solutions work with an entirely closed system, which means that hardware, software and production methods are fully compatible with each other but will not accept external file formats. Other suppliers work with open or partially open systems, where file formats are more or less exchangeable.

3Shape, for example, works with a workflow engine that is open and allows for over 8000 external labs and over 100 treatment partners to be represented in the Unite Store. This allows for full democratization of dentistry, so that dentists can choose who they work with and how.