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State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Dentistry and Oral Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2364

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Dr. Maarten Glibert

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Department Periodontology & Oral Implantology, Dental School, Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Interests: implantology; digitalization; dental radiology and periodontics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jeroen Van Dessel

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Guest Editor

Department of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Interests: oral and maxillofacial surgery; dental radiology; 3D-imaging; computed tomography; implant dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital dentistry is evolving rapidly and new techniques and applications are introduced every day and in all areas of dentistry. The use of intra-oral scans, 3D printers, milling machines, digital radiographs and CBCT’s is considered everyday practice for both diagnostic purposes as well as for dental treatment. CAD/CAM restorations, guided implant surgery, 3D-printed oral devices, and AI-driven diagnosis are becoming increasingly available. The implementation of these digital tools in dentistry has led to faster, more predictable, and more straightforward treatment protocols. On the other hand, due to this rapid evolution, many of these newly introduced techniques, protocols, and printed materials have not yet been discussed in science. Therefore, we are proud to introduce a Special Issue of Applied Sciences: ‘State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry’.

Dr. Maarten Glibert
Dr. Jeroen Van Dessel
Guest Editors

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Keywords

digital dentistry
implantology
orthodontics
computer assisted surgery

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13 pages, 1527 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Bone Level Using Periapical Radiography and CBCT: A Prospective Observational Accuracy Study

by Maarten Glibert, Baptist Nollet, Ruben Tilburgh and Véronique Christiaens

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 4403; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16094403 - 30 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Radiographic assessment plays an important role in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. However, intraoral radiographs often underestimate interproximal bone level. Cone beam CT (CBCT) has been shown to outperform 2D radiography in the detection of furcation involvement, but research on bone level measurements is scarce. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of CBCT and intraoral periapical radiographs (PARX) as diagnostic tools for evaluating bone morphology compared to clinical measurements in an open field setting. This prospective observational diagnostic accuracy study consisted of 29 patients who were planned for periodontal surgery. Pre-surgical assessment consisted of PARX and CBCT compared to open field measurements, using a periodontal probe prior to any bone correction. The following parameters were evaluated: CEJ-BD (cementoenamel junction-base of the defect), AC-BD (alveolar crest–base of the defect), furcation involvement, and bone morphology (angular vs. horizontal). Twenty-nine patients were included, and a total of 173 interproximal sites were assessed. The ICC for the primary variable (CEJ-BD) indicated poor reliability for PARX (0.47), while CBCT showed moderate reliability (0.63). For infrabony measurements, ICC values indicated poor reliability for PARX (0.38) and moderate reliability for CBCT (0.56). Regarding furcation involvement, periapical radiography showed fair agreement (κ = 0.32), whereas CBCT demonstrated substantial agreement (κ = 0.72). Bone morphology assessment showed slight agreement for PARX (κ = 0.11) and fair agreement for CBCT (κ = 0.40). CBCT provides more consistent and reliable assessments of bone level, defect morphology and furcation involvement compared to conventional periapical radiographs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry)

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13 pages, 2901 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Sagittal Condylar Inclination and Bennett Angle Using Dynamic Jaw Motion Tracking System, Conventional Facebow Transfer, and a CBCT-Based Registration Method: A Single-Participant Pilot Feasibility Study

by Hwi Gyun Ahn, Keunbada Son and Kyu-Bok Lee

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3617; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083617 - 8 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Accurate programming of sagittal condylar inclination (SCI) and Bennett angle (BA) is important for prosthodontic treatment, yet evidence directly comparing conventional and digital recording approaches remains limited. This single-participant pilot feasibility study compared SCI and BA obtained using a digital jaw motion tracking system, a conventional facebow transfer method, and a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based registration method. Ten repeated datasets were generated for each method from one healthy adult participant. The digital system recorded mandibular motion using optical tracking and automatically calculated SCI and BA in a virtual articulator. The conventional method used a mechanical facebow and check-bite records, whereas the CBCT-based method combined one centric-relation CBCT scan with repeated protrusive and lateral interocclusal records after digital alignment. Significant differences were observed for left SCI (p = 0.036), left BA (p = 0.049), and right BA (p < 0.001), whereas right SCI was not significantly different (p = 0.197). The digital method showed the lowest standard deviations across all variables and lower coefficients of variation for left SCI, right SCI, and left BA. Within the limitations of this single-participant pilot study, digital jaw motion tracking demonstrated favorable repeatability and clinically comparable measurements, supporting its potential utility in digitally integrated prosthodontic workflows. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry)

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17 pages, 3497 KB

Open AccessArticle

Annealing Effect After RF (Radio Frequency) Sintering of Dental Zirconia Block with Dramatically Reduced Sintering Time: Experimental Study

by Eun-Sung Choi, Je-Hoon Lee, Jung-Hyun Park and Ji-Hwan Kim

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5754; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105754 - 21 May 2025

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Abstract

Objectives: Radio frequency (RF) induction sintering has demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional sintering methods in previous studies. Furthermore, the annealing process is expected to further enhance the mechanical properties of sintered zirconia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of annealing on RF-sintered zirconia and provide empirical evidence supporting its role in optimizing sintering outcomes. Methods: A custom-built RF induction sintering furnace was utilized to process zirconia specimens under various annealing conditions (temperature range, annealing time). The sintered specimens underwent three-point flexural strength testing, followed by microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests to assess the significance of differences between groups. Results: The optimal sintering temperature for RF induction sintering was determined to be 1350 °C, with a minimum annealing duration of 20 min at 1220 °C. Notably, even in the absence of annealing, RF sintering at 1350 °C for 20 min produced specimens with higher flexural strength than those obtained through conventional sintering methods. However, due to variability in mechanical properties, the incorporation of annealing is recommended for clinical applications to ensure consistency and reliability. Conclusions: RF induction sintering significantly reduced both energy consumption and processing time compared to conventional sintering techniques, particularly when combined with annealing. While full densification could be achieved within 20 min without annealing, a total processing time of 30 min, including annealing, was found to enhance process stability and ensure reliable mechanical properties. These findings suggest that both sintering and annealing are critical for achieving optimal densification in zirconia, with annealing playing a key role in improving consistency and reproducibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry)

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20 pages, 1491 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Digital Imaging Technologies for Forensic Orofacial Identification: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

by Sofia Viegas, Rodrigo Azenha-Gomes, João Abreu, Tiago Nunes and Ana Corte-Real

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3766; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083766 - 12 Apr 2026

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Abstract

This systematic review critically examines the use of 2D and 3D digital imaging technologies of the face and teeth, with and without integration of artificial intelligence, for human identification in forensic and medicolegal contexts. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched, identifying 26 studies published between 2011 and 2025 that met predefined eligibility criteria framed by a PECO-style question. Eighteen studies focused on facial imaging, six on dental imaging and two on integrated orofacial workflows, using digital photography, CCTV/video, 3D surface imaging, intraoral scanners, and three-dimensional superimposition methods, sometimes combined with classical algorithms and deep learning models. In controlled or semi-controlled settings, state-of-the-art facial algorithms often reported very high accuracy, with values up to 99.85%. By contrast, studies using real CCTV or other challenging forensic imagery showed more variable performance, with accuracies ranging from about 72.8% to 96.6%. Dental and orofacial studies reported 100% correct identifications for 3D superimposition of intraoral scans in small samples, and around 83% accuracy for automated AI-based dental identification. Crucially, fulfilling the promise of a true orofacial approach, this review proposes a structured research agenda focused on creating realistic multi-modal databases, standardizing protocols, and implementing probabilistic reporting (likelihood ratios) to guide future validation and legal admissibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Digital Dentistry)

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