Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
09:10
Digital Hybrid Model Preparation for Virtual Planning of Reconstructive Dentoalveolar Surgical Procedures
Published on: August 5, 2021
2.0K
2D and 3D patient's representation of simulated restorative esthetic outcomes using different computer-aided design
Wenceslao Piedra-Cascón1, Joshua Fountain2, Wael Att3
1Affiliate Faculty Graduate in Esthetic Dentistry Program, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain and Researcher at Revilla Research Center, Madrid, Spain.
Summary
This review explores 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software for digital diagnostic waxing in dental restorations. While CAD aids facially driven waxing, accuracy and perception variations require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Dental Technology
- Restorative Dentistry
- Digital Workflow
Background:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases, supplemented by manual searches.
- Thirty-three articles were included, focusing on methods for creating 2D or 3D patient representations for restorative dental procedures.
- Computer-aided design (CAD) software enables integration of facial features for digital diagnostic waxing, though specific tools and techniques vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review techniques and available 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software for diagnostic waxing.
- To assess the application of CAD in restorative dentistry when cone beam computed tomography is not indicated.
Main Methods:
- Systematic electronic literature search of major biomedical databases.
- Manual search of relevant articles.
- Inclusion and full-text review of 33 selected articles.
Main Results:
- CAD software facilitates the integration of 2D photographs or 3D facial scans into digital diagnostic waxing.
- A variety of diagnostic and design tools were identified across different CAD programs.
- Limited literature exists on the accuracy of virtual patients and perception differences between 2D and 3D representations.
Conclusions:
- Digital technologies in treatment planning offer new interfaces but maintain core concepts.
- Further research is necessary to validate the accuracy of virtual patient models.
- The influence of 2D versus 3D representations on esthetic perception among dental professionals needs further evaluation.
