Digitization in prosthodontics: A futuristic approach

Digitization has become an imperative element in contemporary prosthodontics. It is now more pertinent than ever, post the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital dentistry has enabled the clinician’s momentum, as well as the ability to integrate the myriad options that are available into their armamentarium to ensure the highest standards of patient care. Digitization ensures safer procedures and staff protection, whereas restricting the number of patient visits to the treatment facility to a minimum. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digitization played a crucial role in prosthetic dentistry. It enabled clinicians to adopt necessary precautions, reduced the number of appointments, enhanced digital communication with the laboratory, and enabled several other procedures that eliminated the possibility of cross infections between the practitioners, patients, and dental technicians. The availability of technology in prosthodontics such as computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing, stereolithography, rapid prototyping, use of virtual articulators, digital face bows, and digital radiographs have revolutionized treatment protocols. Developments in cross-sectional imaging techniques such as spiral tomography and reformatted computerized tomograms have become increasingly popular in preoperative assessment and planning for dental implant treatment. The three-dimensional (3D) optical digitizing technology allows images to be scanned with a 3D scanner and these can be coupled with computerized milling machines for processing prosthetic restorations. The pace of digitization in dental practice is expected to revolutionize the future of dentistry. Continuous research in material science, equipment, and treatment techniques can be expected to improve treatment outcomes in the specialty. Further, digitization permits many newer and effective methods of research.