Digital Orthodontic Workflow: A Narrative Review

protocols limits standardization and reproducibility.Long-term evidence regarding clinical effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and treatment outcomes remains limited, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence continues to evolve. 789101112 The present narrative review aims to provide a structured overview of digital orthodontic workflows-including digital data acquisition, virtual treatment planning, CAD/CAM technologies, 3D printing, clear aligner therapy, digital monitoring, and IntroductIonOrthodontic practice has undergone substantial transformation with the integration of digital technologies into routine clinical workflows.Conventional orthodontics traditionally relied on physical impressions, plaster models, two-dimensional radiographs, and manually fabricated appliances.Although these methods remain clinically effective, they are associated with limitations such as impression distortion, storage difficulties, time-consuming laboratory procedures, and restricted three-dimensional visualization.Recent advances in digital orthodontics-including intraoral scanning, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), virtual treatment planning, threedimensional (3D) printing, and clear aligner systems-have improved diagnostic efficiency, appliance customization, and patient communication.Previous studies have demonstrated that digital models and intraoral scanners provide clinically acceptable accuracy and reliability comparable to conventional methods. 123]45618 Despite rapid technological development and increasing clinical adoption, important limitations remain within the current evidence base.Much of the available literature consists of in vitro investigations, observational studies, and validation studies with heterogeneous methodologies and outcome measures.Furthermore, variability among digital systems, software platforms, manufacturing techniques, and clinical