Photogrammetry in Dentistry: From Digital Impressions to Clinical Workflows
8 affiliations
- 1Department of Dentistry, Omni Family Health, Bakersfield, USA
- 2Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, CKS Theja Dental College, Tirupati, IND
- 3Department of Dentistry, Family HealthCare Network, Visalia, USA
- 4Department of Healthcare Management, University Institute of Applied Management Sciences (UIAMS), Chandigarh, IND
- 5Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, IND
- 6Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, IND
- 7Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, School of Dental Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, IND
- 8Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, IND
Abstract
A three-dimensional digital technology called photogrammetry is gaining popularity and is becoming a valuable tool in dentistry, especially when it comes to documenting the position of dental implants and creating complex digital workflows. This narrative review discusses the principles, methods, applications, accuracy, benefits, limitations, and current clinical applications of photogrammetry in dental practice, with a specific focus on implant-supported rehabilitation and complete-arch digital impressions. The use of conventional photogrammetry, stereophotogrammetry, image acquisition, three-dimensional coordinate reconstruction, intraoral scanning, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and digital implant workflows is discussed. There is currently evidence that photogrammetric methods can be used to record complete-arch implant position with high trueness and precision, and in certain experimental and clinical trials, lower deviations in 3D and angular measurements were reported than with intraoral scanning. But it is hard to compare results across studies because of variations in the types of photogrammetric systems, acquisition protocols, designs of reference markers, software algorithms, distributions of implants, and methods of measurements. In addition, the intraoral surface anatomy and soft-tissue morphology captured routinely via photogrammetry are not as complete as what can be captured by intraoral scanning, and so a combined workflow may collect more comprehensive digital information. As the technology advances, photogrammetry is shifting away from the role of simply recording the position of implants and moving towards utilizing it as a part of digital dentistry, with possibilities in prosthodontics, implant dentistry, facial scanning, maxillofacial rehabilitation, and computer-assisted treatment planning.
Related
- Interocclusal Recording for Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses: Current Materials, Clinical Techniques and Digital Workflows.
- Patient Comfort and Preference During Digital Versus Conventional Impressions for Fixed Prosthodontic Rehabilitation: A Comparative Study.
- Diagnostic discordance between referral impressions, clinical assessment, and final electrodiagnostic findings.
- In vitro evaluation of the mechanical properties of the resin-based composite three-dimensional digital space maintainers containing glass ionomer cements as fluoride sources in pediatric dentistry
- The clinical applications of platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin combined with photobiomodulation in regenerative dentistry: A literature review.
BibTeX
@article{katara2026photogrammetry,
title = {{Photogrammetry in Dentistry: From Digital Impressions to Clinical Workflows}},
author = {Akshay Katara and P. Nihar and Anand P Bhalodi and Ajay Kumar Dogra and Mohit M Galani and Vikas Singh and Anukriti Kumari and Ritik Kashwani},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117457},
url = {https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.117457},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Photogrammetry in Dentistry: From Digital Impressions to Clinical Workflows
AU - Akshay Katara
AU - P. Nihar
AU - Anand P Bhalodi
AU - Ajay Kumar Dogra
AU - Mohit M Galani
AU - Vikas Singh
AU - Anukriti Kumari
AU - Ritik Kashwani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/04
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117457
UR - https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.117457
AB - A three-dimensional digital technology called photogrammetry is gaining popularity and is becoming a valuable tool in dentistry, especially when it comes to documenting the position of dental implants and creating complex digital workflows. This narrative review discusses the principles, methods, applications, accuracy, benefits, limitations, and current clinical applications of photogrammetry in dental practice, with a specific focus on implant-supported rehabilitation and complete-arch digital impressions. The use of conventional photogrammetry, stereophotogrammetry, image acquisition, three-dimensional coordinate reconstruction, intraoral scanning, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and digital implant workflows is discussed. There is currently evidence that photogrammetric methods can be used to record complete-arch implant position with high trueness and precision, and in certain experimental and clinical trials, lower deviations in 3D and angular measurements were reported than with intraoral scanning. But it is hard to compare results across studies because of variations in the types of photogrammetric systems, acquisition protocols, designs of reference markers, software algorithms, distributions of implants, and methods of measurements. In addition, the intraoral surface anatomy and soft-tissue morphology captured routinely via photogrammetry are not as complete as what can be captured by intraoral scanning, and so a combined workflow may collect more comprehensive digital information. As the technology advances, photogrammetry is shifting away from the role of simply recording the position of implants and moving towards utilizing it as a part of digital dentistry, with possibilities in prosthodontics, implant dentistry, facial scanning, maxillofacial rehabilitation, and computer-assisted treatment planning.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -