Clinical Application of Intraoral Scanners in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: The adoption of digital technology in dentistry is rapidly increasing worldwide. Intraoral scanners (IOSs) have been mainly used to create 3D digital dental models but recently attracted attention as an important device for diagnosing oral diseases. This study aimed to review the latest literature related to IOSs, focusing on diagnosing oral diseases and clinical applications in dentistry. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted a rigorous search using three major scientific databases, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was conducted in a narrative review format, focusing on the results of IOS technology on the diagnosis of oral diseases and clinical applications in dentistry. Results: As a result of a total of 50 studies, it was found that IOS technology is primarily used to diagnose major oral diseases and conditions such as tooth wear, dental caries, and dental plaque. Clinically, IOSs contributed to the simplification and time efficiency of dental procedures and increased the accuracy of procedures, thereby showing high patient satisfaction. Conclusions: This review confirms that the IOS is an essential device in digital dentistry, improving diagnostic accuracy and procedure efficiency over traditional methods while also enhancing patient satisfaction in clinical dentistry.