Computational Modelling and Performance Optimization in Digital Reconstructive Dentistry

Digital dentistry increasingly intersects with materials science and engineering through computational simulation and performance optimization, particularly in restorative, implantology, and prosthetic workflows, offering powerful tools for designing and predicting the behavior of dental materials and restorations. However, computational models depend heavily on input parameters such as material properties, boundary conditions, and loading scenarios, which may not fully reflect the dynamic oral environment.Variations in patient-specific factors, such as occlusal forces, temperature fluctuations, moisture, and biological interactions, are difficult to model accurately, leading to discrepancies between predicted and actual outcomes. Such approaches can improve predictive accuracy. However, their reliability remains limited by the difficulty of reproducing the complex oral environment.Inconsistent data exchange, software interoperability issues, and high computational demands can restrict routine clinical or laboratory use. There is a need for validation and optimization frameworks that combine simulation with experimental and clinical data.Several key issues limit the full potential of the integration between digital dentistry and engineering. One major challenge is the accuracy of computational models that focus on how computational methods can simulate the behavior of dental materials such as ceramics, polymers, and hybrid composites, which exhibit complex, non-linear, and time-dependent behavior. Another important issue is the translation of simulated results to real clinical performance. A further challenge lies in the integration of simulation tools with digital workflows, including CAD-CAM systems and additive manufacturing platforms. At the same time, progress in CAD-CAM systems and multi-material fabrication is expanding the possibilities for more precise and individualized treatment solutions.The main goal of this topic collection is to uncover clinical and laboratorial issues in digital dentistry providing novel approaches involving computational modeling and simulation towards standard and novel manufacturing methods. This Topic Collection focuses on digital restorative/prosthetic workflows and how computational simulation and optimization improve better material selection, prosthetic design, and clinical performance and longevity of CAD-CAM and additively manufactured reconstructions.The Research Topic involves the scientific cooperation of researchers and clinicians mainly in the field of dental materials, implantology, restorative dentistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and physics, with emphasis on implant and prosthetic reconstructions. The present topic collection focuses on the computational modelling/analyses and laboratorial procedures including CAD-CAM and additive manufacturing. Studies on different dental materials, implants and prostheses are welcome in this topic. The collection also includes virtual design and validation of implants, prostheses, and surrounding tissues.The current collection covers the following topics:• Computational modeling, analyses, and digital optimization using different methods;• Laboratorial procedures including CAD-CAM or additive manufacturing;• Novel software and technological approaches in digital dentistry. Topic editors: Júlio C. M. Souza, Bruno Henriques, António Ramos Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79072/computational-modelling-and-performance-optimization-in-digital-reconstructive-dentistry