Digital Occlusion in Contemporary Prosthodontics: Current Evidence, Artificial Intelligence, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Accurate occlusal assessment is essential for successful prosthodontic rehabilitation, influencing masticatory efficiency, prosthesis longevity, patient comfort, and long-term treatment outcomes. Conventional methods, including articulating paper, shimstock foil, and wax records, remain widely used; however, these techniques are subjective and provide limited information regarding occlusal force distribution, contact timing, and dynamic mandibular function. Advances in digital dentistry have introduced computerized occlusal analysis systems, intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM technology, virtual articulators, jaw-motion analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI), enabling more objective, quantitative, and patient-centered approaches to occlusal assessment.

This evidence-based narrative review critically evaluates contemporary evidence on digital occlusion in prosthodontics, focusing on computerized occlusal analysis, digital workflows, CAD/CAM technology, virtual articulators, AI applications, clinical utility, current challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives. A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant English-language publications published between January 2015 and June 2026, while landmark studies published before 2015 were included to provide historical context. Evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical studies, observational studies, and clinically relevant narrative reviews was critically synthesized.

Current evidence suggests that computerized occlusal analysis provides objective and reproducible assessment of occlusal contacts, relative force distribution, contact timing, and dynamic occlusal relationships, overcoming many limitations of conventional qualitative techniques. Integration with digital workflows has improved prosthesis accuracy, communication, and treatment efficiency while reducing chairside occlusal adjustments. Although AI shows considerable potential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and prosthesis design, robust clinical validation remains limited. Overall, digital occlusal technologies represent valuable adjuncts to contemporary prosthodontic practice; however, standardized protocols, high-quality multicenter clinical studies, and stronger evidence are needed to support their widespread implementation and facilitate the transition toward evidence-based precision prosthodontics.

Keywords: Prosthodontics; Digital occlusion; Computerized occlusal analysis; Digital dentistry; Digital workflow; CAD/CAM; Virtual articulator; Artificial intelligence.