Integration of imaging modalities in digital dental workflows - possibilities, limitations, and potential future developments.

Sohaib Shujaat,Jeffery B Price,Michael M Bornstein,Reinhilde Jacobs

doi:10.1259/dmfr.20210268

Abstract

The digital workflow process follows different steps for all dental specialties. However, the main ingredient for the diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up workflow recipes is the imaging chain. The steps in the imaging chain usually include all or at least some of the following modalities: cone-beam computed tomographic data acquisition, segmentation of the cone-beam computed tomography image, intraoral scanning, facial three-dimensional soft tissue capture and superimposition of all the images for the creation of a virtual augmented model. As a relevant clinical problem, the accumulation of error at each step of the chain might negatively influence the final outcome. For an efficient digital workflow, it is important to be aware of the existing challenges within the imaging chain. Furthermore, artificial intelligence-based strategies need to be integrated in the future to make the workflow more simplified, accurate and efficient.

Highlights

When trawling through advancements in dental medicine, the classical steps in conventional workflows which were once considered as the norm, such as acquiring alginate impressions, treatment planning and template designing on gypsum-based models and relying on two-dimensional (2D) images of three-dimensional (3D) dentomaxillofacial structures, are constantly being superseded by more accurate and efficient digitized approaches.[1,2]
The term computer-aided design and computer- aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) dentistry should not be confused with digital dentistry, where CAD-CAM only refers to the application of technological resources aiding clinicians to perform
Imaging forms the basis of all the digital workflows in dentistry

Summary

Introduction

When trawling through advancements in dental medicine, the classical steps in conventional workflows which were once considered as the norm, such as acquiring alginate impressions, treatment planning and template designing on gypsum-based models and relying on two-dimensional (2D) images of three-dimensional (3D) dentomaxillofacial structures, are constantly being superseded by more accurate and efficient digitized approaches.[1,2] The term computer-aided design and computer- aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) dentistry should not be confused with digital dentistry, where CAD-CAM only refers to the application of technological resources aiding clinicians to performReceived 03 June 2021; revised 26 July 2021; accepted 06 August 2021 dentomaxillofacial procedures by virtual designing and 3D printing. The main developments in digital dentistry which have allowed most improvements in the workflows include low-dose high-resolution cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners, intra oral scanners (IOS), CAD-CAM software programs, medical 3D printers and dynamic navigation systems.[4] This digitization in dental medicine has not just altered the functioning and thinking of dentists and played an important role in improving the patients’ experience It has had a strong impact for specialties such as dental implantology, restorative dentistry, endodontics and orthodontics, by constantly aiming for and ideally delivering a more accurate treatment with improved outcomes, a reduced complication rate and better patient monitoring.[5,6] further advancements are being made to simplify these digital workflows.[7,8,9]

Objectives

Conclusion