If you’re an existing Elleven Dental patient, you may already have benefitted from our 3D scanning technology.  If you’re not, here’s an explanation of why this new technology is increasingly being used in dentistry.

Elleven Dental was one of the first dental practices in the UK to adopt 3D scanning technology, building on our reputation as a leading centre of dental excellence in the UK.  As a result, we have some of the longest experience with 3D digital dental scanning in the UK.

Dr. Rupert Austin, Elleven Dental’s Consultant Prosthodontist, explains, “Exceptional patient care is at the centre of everything we do, and our patients frequently feedback how much better they understood the care they received through the benefits of imaging.”

How We Use 3D Digital Dental Imaging in Dentistry

Advances in head and neck imaging and computer-aided design are making dental treatments better, safer, faster and more transparent for patients.

This is especially the case for advanced aesthetic reconstructive dental care using orthodontics and dental implants.

Prior to 3D digital dental imaging, like most dentists, Elleven’s practitioners relied on “gooey” dental moulds to take impressions and build replicas of the teeth.  As well as being unpleasant for the patient, this process also meant the clinician was less involved in creating the treatment.

3D scanning therefore provides an opportunity for the dentist to be more involved in providing a truly bespoke and patient-centred treatment plan.

Dr. Austin says, “Many of our patients no longer need the ‘gooey’ moulds to record dental impressions.  Instead, we use a state-of-the-art 3D intra-oral scanner to provide a 3D model of the oral anatomy.  In some cases, we also use sophisticated head, neck and facial imaging.  This can be used for aesthetic smile design and precise surgical planning.”

Patients love the 3D Scanning and Imaging

The use of the 3D scanning helps to deliver a better patient experience – from the beginning to the end of the patient journey.

“For most of our patients, 3D scanning is the new normal,” explains Dr. Austin.  “For so many patients it is just seen as the logical extension of the power of imaging already transforming other areas of our lives; for example, biometric scanning for facial recognition.  Most of the questions I receive from patients are along the lines of ‘why has this taken so long to be introduced?’.”

Dr. Austin continues, “Through 3D scanning, we have delivered countless smiles using a more precise and minimally invasive approach.  For example, using the imaging for computer-guided precise placement of dental implants.  Or smile makeovers that combine orthodontic and restorative treatments using a single 3D computer-simulated approach.  It saves time and is better for patients by reducing the need for invasive dental treatments and by providing healthy, clean restorations with extraordinary beauty and confidence.”

Elleven’s clinicians are widely recognised to be at the forefront of advanced dental technology and we have built a reputation for providing world-class clinical care and providing state-of-the-art modern techniques for the benefit of our patients.

If you are contemplating smile or restorative treatment, you can enjoy a better end-to-end patient experience through judicious use of 3D scanning technology.  To find out more, contact the Elleven team.