Development and Assessment of a Digital Workflow for Esthetic Dental Restorations

Thesis Abstract

The advent of digital technology has transformed dental restorative practices, yet the integration of comprehensive digital workflows specifically tailored for esthetic dental restorations remains underdeveloped, often resulting in suboptimal fit, aesthetic outcomes, and increased procedural inefficiencies. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a standardized digital workflow for esthetic dental restorations to enhance clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and procedural efficiency. The primary objectives include designing a step-by-step digital protocol incorporating intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM fabrication, and digital communication, as well as assessing its accuracy, reproducibility, and clinician and patient perceptions. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study utilizes a quantitative component to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the digital workflow and a qualitative component to explore clinician and patient experiences. The population comprises 150 adult patients requiring anterior esthetic restorations at a university dental hospital. A stratified random sampling technique is used to select participants, while a cohort of 20 restorative clinicians trained in digital workflows undertake the protocol development and implementation. Data collection involves intraoral optical scanning, digital design records, and postoperative clinical assessments, alongside semi-structured interviews with clinicians and patients. The validity of measurement instruments, such as the digital impression accuracy and aesthetic scoring systems, is confirmed through calibration exercises, and reliability is ensured via test-retest procedures. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-treatment measures, and regression analysis to identify factors influencing restorative fit and aesthetic outcomes. Thematic analysis will be employed to interpret qualitative interview data, ensuring an integrated understanding of user perceptions and satisfaction levels. The study also adopts current theoretical frameworks, notably the Technology Acceptance Model to understand clinician adoption, and the Biocultural Aesthetic Framework to evaluate aesthetic perceptions. Preliminary expected findings suggest that the developed digital workflow will demonstrate superior accuracy in fit and aesthetics compared to traditional methods, with reduced chairside time and higher clinician and patient satisfaction. Variations in outcomes are anticipated based on clinician experience and case complexity. The study aims to identify key facilitators and barriers to adopting digital workflows in clinical practice and to propose standardized guidelines for their integration. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the efficacy, reproducibility, and perceptions associated with a systematically developed digital workflow tailored for esthetic restorations. It advances understanding of the practical application of digital technology in aesthetic dentistry and offers a validated protocol that can be adopted broadly, thus bridging gaps between emerging digital capabilities and clinical practice. The findings are expected to inform curriculum development, clinical decision-making, and policy formulation for digital dentistry. In conclusion, the study underscores the transformative potential of structured digital workflows in optimizing esthetic dental restorations. It recommends the integration of evidence-based digital protocols into routine clinical practice, emphasizing the need for ongoing training, technological investment, and patient-centered approaches. Finally, the study advocates for further longitudinal research to evaluate long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of digital workflows in diverse clinical environments, thereby supporting continuous advancement in esthetic restorative dentistry.