Contemporary Trends in Digital Implantology: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.02.05Keywords:
Digital implantology, Dental implants, Virtual implant planningAbstract
Digital technologies have transformed implant dentistry by improving diagnostic accuracy, surgical precision, prosthetic rehabilitation, and overall treatment predictability. Contemporary digital implantology integrates cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), intraoral scanning, virtual implant planning, computer-guided surgery, digital impression techniques, CAD/CAM fabrication, and artificial intelligence (AI) into a comprehensive clinical workflow. These technologies enhance treatment efficiency, minimize procedural errors, improve patient comfort, and facilitate prosthetically driven implant placement. Recent advances in AI and machine learning have further expanded the scope of implant dentistry by enabling automated image analysis, treatment planning, risk assessment, and outcome prediction. Despite challenges such as high initial costs, learning curves, and the need for long-term clinical validation, digital workflows continue to redefine implant therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary digital implantology, highlighting recent technological advancements, clinical applications, current evidence, limitations, and future directions toward more precise, efficient, and personalized implant treatment.
Downloads
References
Abraham, C. M. (2014). A brief historical perspective on dental implants, their surface coatings and treatments. The Open Dentistry Journal, 8, 50–55.
Shaik, N., Gondyala, S. S., Bejagam, V., Sindhuri, Y., Shajahan, S. F., & Bhavsar, T. S. (2024). A review on cutting-edge innovations in dental implantology. Bioinformation, 20(7), 757–761.
Kafedzhieva, A., Vlahova, A., & Chuchulska, B. (2025). Digital technologies in implantology: A narrative review. Bioengineering, 12(9), 927.
James, J., Kharat, A., Chinnakutti, S., Kamble, S., Mandal, M., & Das, A. (2025). The future of dental implants: A narrative review of trends, technologies, and patient considerations. Cureus, 17(8), e90380.
Joda, T., Brägger, U., & Gallucci, G. (2015). Systematic literature review of digital three-dimensional superimposition techniques to create virtual dental patients. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 30, 330–337.
Mangano, F., & Veronesi, G. (2018). Digital versus analog procedures for the prosthetic restoration of single implants: A randomized controlled trial with 1 year of follow-up. BioMed Research International, 2018, 5325032.
Salviano, S. H., Lopes, J. C. A., da Silva Brum, I., Machado, K., Pedrazzi, M. T., & de Carvalho, J. J. (2023). Digital planning for immediate implants in anterior esthetic area: Immediate result and follow-up after 3 years of clinical outcome—Case report. Dentistry Journal, 11(1), 15.
Fonseca, C. M., da Fonseca, P. A. B., Quezada, M. M., Marques, T., Montero, J., Morton, D., & Correia, A. (2024). Analyzing linear and angular deviations after guided surgery for dental implant placement: A preliminary study. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 39, 738–744.
Rodrigues, J. M. M., Santos, P. L., Mendonça, G., Faloni, A. P. S., Finoti, L. S., & Margonar, R. (2023). Assessment of deviations of implants installed with prototyped surgical guide and conventional guide: In vitro study. European Journal of Dentistry, 17, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1718791
Gedrimiene, A., Adaskevicius, R., & Rutkunas, V. (2019). Accuracy of digital and conventional dental implant impressions for fixed partial dentures: A comparative clinical study. Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics, 11(5), 271–279.
Matvijenko, K., & Borusevičius, R. (2025). Comparison of dynamic navigation systems in dental implantology: A systematic literature review of in vitro studies. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 54(7), 647–656.
Rayyan, M. M., Aboushelib, M., Sayed, N. M., Ibrahim, A., & Jimbo, R. (2015). Comparison of interim restorations fabricated by CAD/CAM with those fabricated manually. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 114, 414–419.
Al-Humood, H., Alfaraj, A., Yang, C. C., Levon, J., Chu, T. G., & Lin, W. S. (2023). Marginal fit, mechanical properties, and esthetic outcomes of CAD/CAM interim fixed dental prostheses (FDPs): A systematic review. Materials, 16(5), 1996.
Tian, Y., Chen, C., Xu, X., Wang, J., Hou, X., Li, K., Lu, X., Shi, H., Lee, E. S., & Jiang, H. B. (2021). A review of 3D printing in dentistry: Technologies, affecting factors, and applications. Scanning, 2021, 9950131.
Dawood, A., Marti Marti, B., Sauret-Jackson, V., & Darwood, A. (2015). 3D printing in dentistry. British Dental Journal, 219(11), 521–529.
Brenes, C., Bencharit, S., & Fox, T. (2023). Evaluation of prosthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction with 3D-printed implant supported fixed prosthesis. Cureus, 15(7), e42537.
Alqutaibi, A. Y., Algabri, R., Ibrahim, W. I., Alhajj, M. N., & Elawady, D. (2025). Dental implant planning using artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 134(5), 1619–1629.
Khan, G. S., Aaliyah, S., Pal, S., Tiwari, R., M, S., Dixit, H., M, C. P., & Ali, T. (2025). Artificial intelligence for dental implant classification and peri-implant disease detection: A clinical study. Bioinformation, 21(8), 2361–2364.
Alqutaibi, A. Y., Algabri, R., Ibrahim, W. I., Alhajj, M. N., & Elawady, D. (2025). Dental implant planning using artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 134(5), 1619–1629.
