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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.
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
Patient engagement. It’s possible to present the final result to a patient even before treatment starts (when using a dental smile design protocol, for example), engage in dialogue with them around their expectations, and adjust the plan based on their wishes regarding the esthetics and the treatment timeline.
More accurate treatment planning. Software solutions for dental treatment planning enable designing and planning with digital precision and accuracy, which is a good way to minimize errors (for instance, recording occlusion ensures a better fit). For the full picture on how digital workflows affect treatment outcomes, we recommend you our free ebook: "Because quality treatment matters to me".
Time-saving. Digital solutions allow dentists to take impressions quicker and give patients the option to get treatment in a single visit, with less chair-time for the patient. As for the labs, digital dental technologies speed up processes, which lets them handle more orders in the same amount of time.
Space-saving. Patients usually are not aware that their physical impressions will be stored in the clinic for a long time (in some countries this is required by law). This means that some clinics still have a separate room filled with dental models. With digital dental impression technology clinics can store all models on a single computer, server or in the cloud, thus freeing up an entire room that can be used for other purposes!
Cost-effectiveness. Dentists can save money on impression materials and transport by taking them digitally instead, and their patients also won’t need to pay for time and material that isn’t spent.
No more gag-reflex. Dentists taking traditional impressions are often faced with the patients’ gag-reflex or teeth hypersensitivity to cold washing agents. The discomfort of conventional impression taking can be avoided by taking impressions digitally.
Openness. 3D data is usually saved in a Standard Triangulation Language (STL) format which can be opened and modified by most of the “open” 3D capturing systems. Dental specialists don’t have to be dependent on one brand, and patients can bring their results to a clinic of their choice, which in turn makes them independent.
Entertainment. Digital pediatric dentistry can help children experience dental procedures as less stressful. Their 3D image on screen — looking like a video game — helps them understand what’s happening.
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
Digitalization in dentistry has been on the way for over 40 years but adoption has been limited to early adopters until recently. However, it looks like there is a change coming: investment in digital impression equipment — the starting point to a fully digital workflow — will accelerate in the 5 years to come. The costs are dropping, which is great news for both dentists and patients.
Digital dentistry does not only help doctors with more accurate and fast treatment; it also makes patients happy with more comfort, speed and interaction7.
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.