Pages: 43-56

Abstract

Digital Twin Technology (DTT) is revolutionizing various industries, including healthcare, by providing real-time, virtual replicas of physical objects or processes. This study investigates the attitudes and awareness of Saudi-based dentists toward the application of DTT in restorative and surgical dentistry. A cross-sectional survey of 376 dentists was conducted to analyze their knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to adopting DTT. Results reveal that while 40.1% of participants exhibit a high level of knowledge of DTT, a significant portion remains unaware of its potential applications in dental practice, particularly in designing computer-aided restorations, diagnosing oral cancer, and fabricating hard and soft tissue replicas. Awareness of related programs, such as Dentistry 4.0 and 3D printing, was moderate, with specialists and practitioners in urban areas demonstrating higher familiarity compared to their rural counterparts. The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational programs, enhanced accessibility, and standardized training to bridge knowledge gaps and promote the integration of DTT into clinical practice. This study highlights the transformative potential of DTT and calls for initiatives to equip dental professionals with the necessary skills to effectively harness its benefits.

Keywords: Digital twin technology, Restorative dentistry, Surgical dentistry, Digital dentistry

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