NHP is specific to each patient: Is it measurable, random, and related to gravity? The evolution of digital dentistry is progressively shifting clinical practice from an empirical approach to one based on objective, measurable, and reproducible data.

Tooth autotransplantation is the surgical repositioning of a tooth from one site to another within the same individual. When properly indicated, it represents a biological and conservative alternative to prosthetic replacement or implant therapy, particularly in growing patients where the other therapies may be contraindicated due to ongoing skeletal growth.

The fabrication of handmade feldspathic veneers represents the highest expression of dental artistry, requiring meticulous control of tooth preparation, restoration fit, and adhesive cementation. Rather than replacing traditional craftsmanship, 3D printing enhances and supports the analog workflow, improving predictability, precision, and clinical efficiency.  

The integration of digital technologies into prosthetic and restorative dentistry has profoundly transformed contemporary clinical workflows. Recent developments in intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM systems, additive manufacturing, and adhesive protocols have enhanced the precision, efficiency, and predictability of restorative rehabilitation while minimizing material waste.

Modern implant dentistry increasingly relies on digital technologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment predictability, and workflow efficiency. Among these technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into advanced imaging systems is rapidly transforming the clinician’s ability to detect pathologies, evaluate anatomical structures, and plan surgical procedures with greater confidence.

Traditional silicone-key direct composite restorations suffer from variable thickness, internal voids, imprecise trimming and high labor cost. Pressed composite integrates facially-guided Digital Smile Design, dual-step 3D-printed IBT-Flex guides, and a volumetric “PRESS” dispenser filled with high-fill composite. In a two-visit restorative session following clear-aligner therapy and guided crown lengthening, this workflow achieved exact replication of the planned anatomy, texture, form, and function. The 18-month follow-up findings show stable margins, minimal wear and high patient satisfaction.

A 40-year-old male patient presented with discomfort on mastication affecting the upper left quadrant. The patient was medically fit and well, with no relevant medical history. The clinical examination revealed an edentulous space in the region of the upper left first molar (UL6), with the patient reporting difficulty chewing, food stagnation, and challenges maintaining adequate plaque control in the area. Overall function remained stable but was suboptimal.

A 35-year-old patient presented to the clinic with an infectious and esthetic problem at 12 and 22, 6 years after the placement of an internal hexagon implant and a cemented prosthesis.

Digital dentistry has transformed restorative and esthetic treatments. Technologies such as intraoral scanning, digital smile design, and chairside manufacturing enable clinicians to deliver precise, minimally invasive, and efficient care. Notably, 3D printing allows the same-day fabrication of indirect restorations with excellent esthetic and mechanical properties.

Digital dentistry has undergone rapid developments and changed the contemporary approach to patient treatment in many ways. New chairside digital workflow protocols, for example, enable dental practitioners to simplify previously multistep laboratory procedures, reducing treatment time and lowering the cost of the process. Chairside protocols enable clinicians to perform restorations in a single office visit, providing patients with a more comfortable and efficient experience.

Digital dentistry continues to transform restorative treatment by providing clinicians with high levels of precision, efficiency, and clinical predictability. One of the most important advancements in this field is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital workflows, which is changing the way restorative procedures are planned, designed, and implemented.

It’s now been a decade since I started using iPhysio® for implant temporization. The first release, back in 2015, was a polymer healing cap (available in three different shapes and heights) that clipped onto a titanium base. We quickly encountered mechanical disassembly issues during the osseointegration period; these led to patient discomfort, localized inflammation, and a potential loss of accuracy during intraoral scanning.

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly being incorporated into dental imaging, caries detection, periodontal assessment, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) interpretation, treatment planning, and patient communication. These tools promise to enhance the consistency and speed of diagnostic workflows, especially in radiographically complex cases.

Advances in digital imaging continue to transform modern endodontics, enabling clinicians to diagnose and manage complex anatomical variations with greater confidence and precision. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has become an essential diagnostic tool when conventional radiography does not provide sufficient information.