Digital Workflows for Complete Dentures: Knowledge, Clinical Outcomes, and Research Gaps: A Scoping Review
TL;DR
The goal of this review was to thoroughly review the literature on digital procedures for complete dentures published between 2016 and 2025, find the most important technology aspects, evaluate the reported clinical outcomes, and point out areas where more research is needed.
Abstract
The use of digital technology into removable prosthodontics resulted in the creation of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) workflows for complete denture construction. Although digital dentures are becoming more popular in clinical practice, the evidence base is still fragmented in terms of workflow processes and manufacturing methods. The goal of this review was to thoroughly review the literature on digital procedures for complete dentures published between 2016 and 2025, find the most important technology aspects, evaluate the reported clinical outcomes, and point out areas where more research is needed. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. There were electronic searches done on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Clinical trials, observational studies, technical papers, and case series describing fully digital or hybrid procedures for entire denture production were all considered eligible. Twenty-five (25) studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The literature shows a quick transition from subtractive to additive manufacturing. While milled bases remain the gold standard for physical qualities and preservation, 3D printing is more cost-effective. Hybrid procedures, which combine analogue functional impressions and digital manufacturing, now provide the best consistent clinical outcomes for complex edentulous ridges. Digital workflow is a proven paradigm change, but the research so far shows that milled bases are better than 3D-printed. “no-try-in” procedure presents considerable aesthetic challenges, necessitating the utilization of printed monolithic try-in. Future studies should focus on long-term clinical evaluation of digital workflows, improved wear resistance of 3D-printed resins, and enhanced scanning accuracy for edentulous arches. High-quality comparative clinical studies with standardized methodologies and long-term follow-up are needed to establish evidence-based protocols for complete denture fabrication.