Editorial: Digital Technology for Oral Health Care and Dental Education"

Kunaal Dhingra^1*Prabhat Kumar Chaudhari¹Jitendra Sharan²Anand Marya³Dian Jing⁴

• ¹All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
• ²All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar, India
• ³University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• ⁴Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

are not only enhancing the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning but also revolutionizing the way dental professionals are trained and how efficiently the oral care is delivered, particularly in underserved populations. This special issue, titled "Digital Technology for Oral Health Care and Dental Education," brings together a diverse set of scholarly contributions that explore the intersection of emerging digital technologies with various aspects of clinical practice, The third article by Roselli et al. aimed to compare the reliability of digital impressions from intraoral scanners (IOS) as compared to alginate impression for recording palatal rugae (PR). Nineteen adult participants were enrolled, and PR images were obtained using alginate impressions, digital scans, and clinical photography. Six specific landmarks on each PR image were analyzed using FaceComp™ software, which measured distances and shape characteristics. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the digital and analog methods, both correlating strongly with clinical photographs. Results suggested that digital impressions are as accurate as traditional methods, offering advantages in speed, efficiency, and reproducibility. This has important implications for both clinical orthodontics and forensic dentistry, especially in edentulous or disfigured individuals. Limitations include small sample size and scanner variability. Nevertheless, the study supports the use of IOS for PR analysis and identification, paving the way for broader digital integration in dental and forensic practices.The final contribution in this special issue is a descriptive case report by Ronsivalle et al. which details the multidisciplinary orthodontic management of a 50-year-old female patient with stage 3, grade B periodontitis and severe anterior mandibular crowding. Malocclusion and periodontal disease often coexist in adults, as malalignment can worsen plaque accumulation and occlusal trauma. Despite periodontitis not being a contraindication for orthodontics, special care must be taken due to the compromised alveolar bone. A two-phase treatment was implemented: initial non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) to stabilize inflammation, followed by orthodontic treatment using clear aligners. Clear aligners were chosen for their ability to maintain oral hygiene, deliver light forces, and enable precise biomechanical control. Interproximal reduction (IPR) and arch expansion created space without extractions. Treatment aimed to align the teeth, improve aesthetics, and preserve periodontal health. The patient showed excellent compliance and achieved all treatment goals in under a year, with stable occlusion, improved incisor inclination, better smile aesthetics, no signs of active periodontal disease, and improved quality of life. Clear aligners allowed for a customized, minimally invasive approach, particularly beneficial for patients with periodontal risk. The digital planning platform also enhanced patient understanding and satisfaction. Overall, this case highlights clear aligners as an effective and safe option in the orthodontic management of adult periodontal patients.Collectively, the articles featured in this special issue illustrate the profound and varied ways in which digital technologies are reshaping the practice, science, and teaching of dentistry. From community-based oral health interventions in Africa to the precise control of clear aligners in patients with periodontal complications, these contributions highlight a central truth: digital tools are not simply augmenting traditional methods but they are redefining them.As we look ahead, it is clear that digital dentistry is no longer a futuristic concept; it is today's imperative. And with continued research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to equity, we can ensure that digital technology becomes a powerful enabler of better, broader, and more personalized oral health care for all.