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Background:
Prosthodontics is undergoing a transformation from passive restoration to active health surveillance, driven by the integration of biosensors, artificial intelligence (AI), wireless communication, and smart materials. This has given rise to “Digital Guardians” — sensor-embedded prosthetic devices that not only restore form and function but also monitor, detect, and respond to changes in the oral environment.
Purpose:
This review synthesizes current evidence on the concept, classifications, clinical applications, and comparative performance of Digital Guardians in prosthodontics, highlighting their role in preventive, diagnostic, rehabilitative, and forensic domains.
Methods:
A narrative review of literature from peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and technology reports was conducted, focusing on five major categories: intelligent mouthguards, forensic-enabled prostheses, jaw trackers, implantable smart sensors, and sensor-enhanced maxillofacial prostheses. Comparative studies and future technology trends were also evaluated.
Results:
Digital Guardians enable early detection of pathological changes, remote monitoring, personalized rehabilitation, and forensic identification. Comparative studies demonstrate high accuracy for intelligent mouthguards in impact and bruxism detection, robust durability of forensic ID tags under environmental stress, and precise movement analysis from jaw tracking systems. Implantable sensors and AI-assisted maxillofacial prostheses remain in early development but show substantial potential.
Conclusion:
Digital Guardians signify a paradigm shift toward anticipatory, patient-centered prosthodontics, bridging oral and systemic healthcare. Widespread adoption will require further clinical validation, ethical governance, cost optimization, and integration into digital dental workflows. The future lies in AI-driven analytics, energy-harvesting systems, adaptive biomaterials, and interoperable platforms for seamless care delivery.
Keywords:
Digital Guardians, Prosthodontics, Sensor-Integrated Prosthesis, Smart Dentistry, Tele-prosthodontics, Forensic Odontology, Jaw Tracking, Implantable Sensors, Intelligent Mouthguards.
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