“Robotics in Prosthodontics: Current Applications, Challenges and Future Directions”

ABSTRACT Background Robotics is increasingly integrated into digital dentistry and offers potential gains in accuracy, repeatability, and ergonomics across prosthodontic rehabilitation. This narrative review synthesizes current robotic applications relevant to prosthodontics and identifies key barriers and research priorities. Methods A narrative review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science and supplementary source searching (including Embase, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, DynaMed, OpenGrey, and snowballing/citation tracking) for publications from 1987 to August 2025. Three calibrated reviewers screened the records and synthesized the evidence narratively. This study was designed as a structured narrative review; no formal systematic review protocol, risk-of-bias assessment, or evidence-certainty grading framework was applied . Forty-nine publications were included in the final narrative synthesis. Results Reported applications clustered into (i) laboratory automation (robot-assisted milling, polishing, and handling within CAD/CAM and hybrid manufacturing), (ii) digital data acquisition (intraoral scanning support and quality control), (iii) functional analysis and simulation (robotic articulators and chewing/wear simulators), and (iv) clinical assistance, mainly robot-guided implant osteotomy/placement. Emerging work couples robotics with AI for automated segmentation, finish-line detection, and prosthesis design, and with AR/VR for training and intraoperative guidance. Evidence is predominantly in vitro or early clinical series, with limited multicenter outcomes and cost-effectiveness data. Conclusion Robotics is moving from proof-of-concept and laboratory automation toward clinically integrated, human-supervised systems in prosthodontics. Wider adoption will depend on robust clinical validation with standardized safety/accuracy metrics, interoperable and secure digital workflows, and structured training and governance to ensure patient-centered, cost-effective care. Clinical Significance Robot-enabled workflows can improve the repeatability of prostheses and the accuracy of digitally planned procedures (e.g., implant placement), potentially reducing chairside adjustments and complications. Real-world impact will depend on evidence quality, training, and equitable access.