The integration of digital technology with dentistry has become a central driving force in 21st-century dental innovation. Within the realm of occlusal function research, analytical methodologies are undergoing a paradigm shift. evolving from traditional empirical models toward multidimensional intelligent systems capable of digital precision assessment. The critical need for accurate occlusal contact analysis in both clinical practice and scientific research underscores the strategic importance of selecting context-appropriate analysis technologies, a process fundamental to ensuring diagnostic precision and research reproducibility. This investigation systematically discussed the evolutionary trajectory of occlusal analysis technologies through three key dimensions: technical principles, metric innovation, and efficacy evaluation framework. By conducting comparative analyses of various methodologies, we focus on delineating their unique technical advantages and clinical applicability boundaries. The study ultimately aims to establish evidence-based selection protocols for precision occlusal diagnostics while charting technical roadmaps for the iterative advancement of intelligent occlusal analysis systems.