What does digital dentistry encompass?

Digital dentistry encompasses the complete workflow from digital data acquisition through diagnostics, planning and simulation to computer-aided manufacturing, navigation and follow-up monitoring. Clinically, this affects prosthodontics, implantology, orthodontics, CMD diagnostics and other specialties.

What are the benefits of digital dentistry for patients?

Digital procedures offer greater precision, better predictability, increased patient comfort and improved documentation. Intraoral scanning replaces the unpleasant impression, 3D planning increases safety in implant cases, and CAD/CAM enables more precise and reproducible dental prosthetics.

What questions should I ask my dentist about digital dentistry?

Ask whether diagnostics are performed three-dimensionally, whether you are digitally scanned, whether implant planning is navigated and how your dental prosthesis is manufactured. These questions help you assess whether your dentist works to current digital standards.

Is digital dentistry more expensive than conventional treatment?

Digital procedures may involve higher initial investment costs, but often offer better cost-benefit ratios through higher precision, fewer corrections and better long-term results. A blanket statement is not possible — what matters is the quality of implementation.

How do I recognize a practice that truly works digitally?

Look for: intraoral scan instead of impression, DVT/CBCT equipment on-site, navigated implant planning, CAD/CAM manufacturing and digital documentation. Ask specifically about these points — a reputable practice can answer these questions clearly.

Digital Dentistry Vienna – Institute for Implantology and Digital Dentistry

Hub · Digital Dentistry

Digital Dentistry: What it is, what it delivers — and what patients should pay attention to.

Digital dentistry has fundamentally changed how treatments are planned, performed and documented. From three-dimensional capture through computer-aided planning to navigated execution — the Institute explains the complete workflow independently and evidence-based.

Not to sell treatments — but to empower patients to make informed decisions.

Systematics

The complete digital workflow — four levels

Digital dentistry is not a single device and not a single procedure. It is a coherent system of capture, planning, manufacturing and therapy — where each level builds on the previous one.

Digital Input

Precise capture as a foundation

The basis of every digital workflow is data acquisition: through intraoral scans, digital X-rays and three-dimensional DVT images. This data is the foundation for all subsequent steps — and significantly determines the quality of planning and manufacturing.

Learn more about digital diagnostics

Digital Planning

From diagnosis to therapy strategy

Based on the digital data, the treatment is simulated, planned and optimized on the computer — before any clinical step is taken. This applies to implant positioning as well as the design of dental prosthetics or the planning of orthodontic movements.

Learn more about digital planning

Digital Manufacturing

Precision from the machine

CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing enable the production of restorations, splints, drilling templates and provisional prosthetics with accuracy and reproducibility that cannot be achieved manually.

Learn more about digital manufacturing

Digitally Assisted Therapy

Planning becomes reality

Navigated implantology, dynamic tracking systems and digital data exchange between practice, laboratory and patient close the workflow. The digital plan is transferred one-to-one to clinical execution.

Learn more about navigated implantology

Complete Overview: Digital Implantology

Specialties

Which specialties does digital dentistry encompass?

Digital methods are now established in virtually all specialties of dentistry — from implantology through prosthodontics to orthodontics and functional diagnostics.

Specialty	Digital Methods	Patient Benefit
Implantology	DVT, digital planning, navigated surgery	More precision, less risk	More →
Navigated Implantology	Drill guide, 3D planning, intraoperative tracking	Implant position exactly as planned	More →
Zirconia Implants	Metal-free implants, CAD/CAM abutment	Alternative to titanium, esthetic & biocompatible	More →
Immediate Implant	Immediate loading protocol, digital planning	Implant and crown in one appointment	More →
Bone Augmentation	GBR, sinus lift, digital planning	Bone volume for safe implantation	More →
Sinus Lift	Internal / external, DVT planning, augment selection	Bone augmentation in maxillary posterior region	More →
Prosthodontics & Dental Prosthetics	Intraoral scan, CAD/CAM, 3D printing	Faster, more accurate, more durable	More →
Esthetic Dentistry	DSD, CAD/CAM veneers, digital shade analysis	Result predictable before first intervention	More →
Intraoral Scan	Optical impression, STL export	No impression, instant digitalization	More →
DVT / CBCT Diagnostics	3D X-ray, volume data	Anatomy fully visible	More →
Facial Scan & Digital Twin	Structured light, data fusion	Esthetic planning with soft tissue context	More →
CMD & Digital Bite Splint	Virtual articulator, CAD/CAM splint	Precise functional diagnostics and therapy	More →
Endodontics	DVT diagnostics, NiTi preparation, 3D obturation	Canal geometry completely captured	More →
Digital Orthodontics	3D imaging, aligner planning, 3D printing	Predictable results, more comfort	More →
Periodontology	DVT diagnostics, diode laser, digital status assessment	Early detection, laser treatment, perio-implantology	More →

Patient Empowerment

What should patients ask before treatment?

Informed patients receive better treatments. These questions help you assess whether your dentist works to current digital standards:

Is diagnostics performed three-dimensionally (DVT/CBCT)?

Is my situation digitally scanned or with a conventional impression?

Is implant planning navigated or freehand?

How is my dental prosthesis manufactured — analog or digital?

What software is used for treatment planning?

These questions are not criticism — they are the expression of informed patient understanding. The Institute provides you with this information base independently and free of charge.

From Science to Clinical Application

The Institute describes. Smile4Life implements.

The Institute describes and evaluates methods. The clinical implementation of the described digital workflow is carried out by our clinical partner, the Smile4Life practice under the direction of Priv.Doz.Dr.Dr. K. Yerit in Vienna.

Learn about Clinical Implementation at Smile4Life More about Clinical Implementation

Note: The Institute for Implantology and Digital Dentistry Vienna is a non-profit information and research platform. It does not provide dental services. All content serves the purpose of general scientific education.

For Patients

Patient Guides to Digital Dentistry

Understandable decision aids — what patients should know before, during and after digital treatments.

Implant – What You Should Know Before DVT Before Implants Explained Bone Augmentation – When Is It Necessary?Titanium or Zirconia Implant?Immediate Implant – Who Is It Suitable For?Second Opinion on Implants Orthodontics for Adults Root Canal Treatment Vienna Dental Crown – Materials Comparison

All Patient Guides

In-Depth Content

Topics in This Section

Digital Implantology

DVT, navigated surgery, backward-planning

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Intraoral Scan

Digital impression, functionality, benefits

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Esthetic Dentistry

DSD, CAD/CAM veneers, digital shade analysis

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Endodontics & Root Canal Treatment

DVT diagnostics, NiTi preparation, 3D obturation

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Jaw Surgery & Augmentation

Guided surgery, piezo surgery, bone augmentation, sinus lift

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CAD/CAM & Digital Prosthodontics

Coming Soon

Milling, 3D printing, materials

In Preparation

DVT / CBCT Diagnostics

Coming Soon

3D X-ray, indications, radiation dose

In Preparation

Navigated Implantology

Static vs. dynamic navigation

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CMD & Temporomandibular Joint Diagnostics

Digital workflow, DVT, CAD/CAM bite splint

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AI in Dental Diagnostics

Coming Soon

Automatic findings, future perspectives

In Preparation

Medical note: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice from a licensed dentist or specialist. The Institute for Implantology and Digital Dentistry Vienna is a non-profit, independent scientific platform — not a treatment facility. All content reflects current scientific literature; individual treatment decisions must always be made in consultation with a qualified dental professional.