Most dental offices are now computerized with sophisticated software to simplify the complicated process of clinical practice and patient management. Software serves in a wide variety of applications, ranging from the substitution of routine office paperwork to more sophisticated imaging techniques.

The practice management software (PMS) eases the handling of administrative tasks such as patient recordkeeping, inventory control for dental supplies, appointment scheduling, insurance processing and real-time reporting (billing) when the transaction actually takes place. Many versatile Windows-based software programs exist that allow the dentist to do chair-side data entry and scheduling. At present, many web-based dental PMS programs are also available that provide advanced solutions to improved clinical practices.

The progress in computer technology and improved methods of medical imaging have complemented dentists well in diagnosing and planning the course of appropriate treatment. The imaging software with digital modalities like 3-dimensional modeling, intra-oral video camera and X-ray units, and cephalometric and tomographic X-rays, helps the dentists make crucial decisions. The imaging software has been used in cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics to a large extent.

In cosmetic dentistry, the software has served to enhance the awareness of esthetic dental treatment. The main purpose of the cosmetic imaging software is to allow the manipulation of smiles and simulation of the results in the proposed treatment. There are smile libraries and databases to explore and judge the procedures to be followed.

Computer image-guided surgery is widely followed in several branches of surgical interventions. Introduced in the early 80s in the form of simulated operations, present-day image-guided surgical systems are very precise and safe systems. They are controlled mainly by an infra-red light, and function without a mechanical link between the operative field, instruments and computer. Dentists are widely using this cutting-edge technique in the application of oral implants, considering the need for outstanding safety and accuracy for this procedure.