Artificial intelligence in digital dentistry: applications in prosthetic planning

Resumo

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a major technological advancement in digital dentistry, particularly in the context of prosthetic planning. Its integration with technologies such as CAD/CAM systems and additive manufacturing has been widely associated with improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and treatment personalization. However, despite these technological advances, questions remain regarding the actual clinical effectiveness of such applications. This study aims to critically analyze the applications of Artificial Intelligence in digital dentistry, with an emphasis on prosthetic planning, addressing its evidence, limitations, and clinical implications. This is a narrative literature review with a qualitative and integrative approach, conducted through searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases, including publications from 2016 to 2025. The findings indicate that, although AI shows potential to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic processes, most available evidence is derived from experimental studies and digital simulations, with limited clinical validation. Furthermore, limitations related to data quality, algorithm transparency, and practical applicability were identified. It is concluded that, despite its promising potential in prosthodontics, the clinical effectiveness of AI remains only partially established, highlighting the need for robust clinical studies to support its safe and evidence-based integration into dental practice.