Performance and Time Efficiency of Artificial Intelligence-Based Programs for the Automatic Design of Occlusal Devices and Restorations: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and time efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI)-based programs for designing occlusal devices and tooth-supported restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was completed in 5 databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane. A manual search was also conducted. Studies evaluating the accuracy and time efficiency of commercially available AI-based programs for designing occlusal devices, inlays, onlays, and tooth-supported crowns and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) were included. Two investigators evaluated the studies independently using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal. A third examiner was consulted to resolve a lack of consensus. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included: 21 evaluated single crowns (including three assessing finish-line location accuracy), two investigated inlays/onlays, one assessed occlusal device designs, and one evaluated the accuracy of AI-generated 3-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Additionally, four of the 21 studies examined the time efficiency of AI-based design software. CONCLUSIONS: Across all studies, AI-based programs consistently demonstrated shorter design times than conventional workflows. AI-based program performance varied by restoration type. However, the available evidence was limited and characterized by substantial heterogeneity. Therefore, further well-designed studies are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the performance of these AI-based programs.