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The Digital Dentistry Revolution: Precision from Diagnosis to Delivery

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Dr. Sang J. Lee

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Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Interests: prosthodontics; digital dentistry; implant dentistry; computer-guided implant surgery; occlusion; artificial intelligence in dentistry
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Dear Colleagues,

Digital dentistry has reshaped contemporary dental practice through the gradual integration of digital technologies across all stages of patient care. From diagnosis and treatment planning to fabrication and final delivery, digital workflows have improved precision and efficiency while supporting more predictable clinical outcomes. These developments enable clinicians to provide care that is more consistent and tailored to individual patients. At the same time, the transition from analog to digital processes has helped reduce clinical variability, improve communication among clinicians, patients, and dental laboratories, and support more informed clinical decision-making based on objective, data-driven measurements.

This Special Issue, “The Digital Dentistry Revolution: Precision from Diagnosis to Delivery,” focuses on precision throughout the digital treatment workflow. Submissions are invited that address advances in digital diagnosis, including digital imaging, cone beam computed tomography, facial scanning, optical mandibular movement analysis, and intraoral digital scanning and impressions, and examine how these technologies influence diagnosis, treatment planning, and functional assessment.

In addition, this Special Issue seeks studies addressing computer-guided implant surgery, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), 3D printing, and digitally driven restorative and prosthetic treatments, with emphasis on their roles in improving the precision of restorative and prosthetic workflows. Contributions highlighting the integration of multiple digital data sources, clinical validation of digital workflows, and their impact on functional, esthetic, and long-term outcomes are also encouraged.

Dr. Sang J. Lee
Guest Editor

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Research

10 pages, 1547 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Diamond Bur Wear During Grinding on the Marginal Gap of Zirconia Lithium Silicate Single Crowns: An In Vitro SEM Analysis

by Roi Avrahami, Joseph Nissan, Ophir Rosner, Alexandra Andronik, Diva Lugassy and Gil Ben-Izhack

Dent. J. 2026, 14(5), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050291 - 12 May 2026

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Abstract

Objectives: In this in vitro study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of bur wear during grinding on the marginal gap of Zirconia Lithium Silicate (ZLS) single crowns. Methods: A single maxillary right canine typodont tooth, pre-prepared for a full ceramic crown, was scanned using an intra-oral scanner. A total of 32 ZLS crowns were ground using a four-axis grinding unit and divided into four equal groups (n = 8) based on the grinding sequence to represent progressive bur wear: Group 1 (crowns 1–8), Group 2 (crowns 9–16), Group 3 (crowns 17–24), and Group 4 (crowns 25–32). All crowns were ground consecutively using the same set of diamond burs. Each crown was temporarily cemented to the typodont tooth, and the marginal gap was measured at four reference points (buccal, palatal, mesial, distal) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at ×250 magnification. A Kolmogorov–Smirnov test performed on the study variables indicated a normal distribution (p > 0.05). Results: One-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences in the mean total marginal gap between the groups (p = 0.117), with values of 47.20 ± 5.16, 44.62 ± 7.23, 54.14 ± 10.02, and 48.53 ± 7.87 μm for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Furthermore, no significant differences were found regarding a specific surface (distal, mesial, palatal, buccal) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The cumulative wear of diamond burs after the consecutive grinding of 32 ZLS crowns did not significantly affect the marginal adaptation. All recorded marginal gaps were well within the clinically acceptable range (<120 μm). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Digital Dentistry Revolution: Precision from Diagnosis to Delivery)

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20 pages, 5505 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Micro-CT-Based Anatomically Accurate Tooth Model for Finite Element Analysis of Composite Restorations

by Tamás Tarjányi, Balázs Szabó, Lívia Vásárhelyi, Tibor Nagy, Ferenc Farkas and Attila Nagy

Dent. J. 2026, 14(5), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050279 - 8 May 2026

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Background: Finite element analysis (FEA) has become an important tool in restorative dentistry for investigating stress distribution in teeth and dental restorations. However, the accuracy of such analyses strongly depends on the anatomical fidelity of the underlying tooth models, which is often limited in simplified geometries. The objective of this study was to develop an anatomically accurate three-dimensional tooth model based on micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) data and to evaluate the biomechanical behaviour of sound and composite-restored teeth under clinically relevant loading conditions. Methods: A human tooth was scanned using high-resolution micro-CT imaging. Enamel, dentin, and pulp were segmented and reconstructed into three-dimensional geometries, which were further refined using computer-aided design (CAD) tools. The resulting models were imported into a finite element environment for mechanical simulation. Static loading conditions were applied to both sound and composite-restored tooth models, including a vertical load of 200 N and an oblique load of 200 N applied at a 45° angle to the tooth crown. Von Mises stress distributions were evaluated to characterize stress concentration patterns. Results: Finite element simulations revealed maximum von Mises stresses of approximately 140 MPa, predominantly localized in the coronal regions of the tooth. Oblique loading produced increased and more asymmetric stress concentrations than vertical loading, particularly in the anterior and posterior crown regions. While overall stress distributions were comparable between sound and composite-restored teeth, locally increased stress levels were observed in restored models under oblique loading. Conclusions: Anatomically accurate, micro-CT-based finite element tooth models provide a robust framework for biomechanical analysis in restorative dentistry. The presented workflow enables detailed evaluation of stress distribution in composite-restored teeth and may contribute to improved understanding and optimization of restorative materials and treatment strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Digital Dentistry Revolution: Precision from Diagnosis to Delivery)

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