Accuracy of static and dynamic occlusion simulation of virtual articulation compared with a conventional articulator:...

The adoption of a virtual articulator in digitally assisted dentistry warrants a clear statement on its accuracy in comparison with conventional articulation. This knowledge gap creates uncertainty, potentially compromising treatment outcomes.

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the accuracy of the static and dynamic occlusion simulation of virtual articulation compared with that of conventional articulators.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, ResearchGate, MEDLINE, Coachrane, Scopus, Wiley, and other scientific platforms up to April 2025 with the aid of Boolean operators. Accuracy studies conducting clinical trials and studies comparing conventional and virtual articulators were included.

Initially, a total of 78 studies were reviewed, with 8 meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria for review, including 1 electronic thesis. Virtual articulation showed accuracy comparable with that of conventional articulators in simulating static occlusion. Digital simulation of dynamic occlusion was comparatively inconclusive; however, the differences were not statistically significant.

Virtual articulation was found to be a similar and convenient alternative to conventional articulators in static occlusion. The virtual articulator simulation of dynamic occlusal contacts remained less accurate than that of conventional articulators. There is need for further refinement.