Background and Aims: Digital impression systems have transformed prosthodontics by enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and patient comfort. Despite these advantages, their clinical adoption remains constrained by technical and operational challenges. This review aimed to critically evaluate the limitations of digital impression systems in the field of fixed and removable prosthodontics.
Materials and Methods: Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Scientific sources were reviewed for their contribution to understanding the limitations and challenges of digital impression systems in the field of fixed and removable prosthodontics. The selected studies were then analyzed descriptively, and their findings were interpreted to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges, limitations, and future perspectives of this technology.
Resulrs: Findings indicated that although digital impression systems could demonstrate high accuracy and reproducibility under controlled laboratory conditions, their clinical performance has been influenced by multiple factors. Operator experience, scanning strategy, and image stitching significantly could affect data accuracy. Environmental conditions such as moisture, light, and temperature might further compromise outcomes. Patient-related variables, including arch morphology, tooth preparation, implant presence, and restorative materials, also contributed to variability in results. Additionally, technical factors such as scanner design, software version, and scanning head size would play an imporant role.
Conclusion: Evidence suggests that while digital systems may outperform conventional impressions in controlled settings, clinical limitations persist. Therefore, optimized protocols and integration of digital and conventional techniques may enhance reliability and improve prosthodontic outcomes.
