[Exploration and innovative application of digital technology in pediatric dentistry]

Pediatric dentistry treats patients aged 0-18 years, encompassing the characteristics of general dentistry. The clinical techniques are closely related to restorative dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery, while also possessing unique aspects. It particularly focuses on the growth and development patterns of children's dentition and maxillofacial structures. Currently, digital technology has deeply integrated with various clinical disciplines of dentistry, and pediatric dentistry has made significant progress with pediatric-specific digital applications. On one hand, the introduction of mature digital technologies is enabling the digital transformation of pediatric dental treatment models; on the other hand, there is innovative development of new digital technologies tailored to the specific needs of pediatric dental care, filling gaps in the field. Based on years of research in digital technology for pediatric dentistry, our team details the current innovative applications and scientific explorations in this area from these two perspectives. Additionally, we anticipate the potential expansion of digital technologies not yet applied in pediatric dentistry, providing a reference for clinical scholars in the field to conduct exploratory research.