Investigators may have uncovered the utility and efficacy of virtual articulators, according to an article published in Cureus.

A virtual articulator is capable of using computed generated technology to digitally simulate the jaw relations and replicate mandibular motions in static and dynamic scenarios—thereby enabling detailed occlusion analyses, enhanced diagnoses, and improved treatment planning and patient education. In dental clinics and laboratory settings, virtual articulators have been applied in intraoral scanners and computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies.

However, the high rate of advancements in dentistry and potentially limitless opportunities for digitization may make it challenging for dentists to remain up-to-date with current technologies.

In the study, the investigators used PubMed Central to conduct a comprehensive literature search strategy. Eligibility was determined based on several criteria such as a focus on virtual articulators, virtual reality, and digitalization in dentistry. They identified 30 qualitative and quantitative research studies and academic articles evaluating patient outcomes and the benefits and limitations of using virtual articulators compared with conventional mechanical articulators or other traditional methods between August 2015 and June 2023.

The investigators noted that dentists using conventional mechanical articulators face issues—including the changing shape of the registration materials, inaccuracies in cast repositioning into the bite imprints, articulator instability, and proper alignment and maintenance.

Compared with conventional mechanical articulators, they discovered that virtual articulators allowed for more precise occlusal surface analyses. Further, the digital impressions made by virtual articulators were found to be more accurate than those made with analog methods, whereas the virtual method’s dynamic motions were comparable in precision to those of the conventional mechanical method.

The investigators concluded that combining virtual articulators with computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies could lead to more positive outcomes, convenience, and precision in implant therapy and orthognathic surgery.

No conflicts of interest were disclosed.