For many practices today, the question is no longer whether or not to introduce a digital workflow – it’s where to start. Intraoral scanners, 3D printers, CAD/CAM milling units, and integrated treatment planning software have moved from simply aspirational equipment upgrades to practical tools that a growing number of UK practices are using in day-to-day clinical life. It’s no longer “why would we?” but “why are we waiting?”
The answer to that second question is often the same: uncertainty. Which technology is right for this practice? How disruptive will the transition be? What does the return on investment actually look like? And who supports you once the equipment is installed? These are legitimate questions that need considered answers.
The case for change
Traditional impression materials have served dentistry well, but the limitations are well understood. They are technique-sensitive, uncomfortable for patients with a strong gag reflex, and dependent on physical transportation to the laboratory, which introduces delays as well as the possibility of damage in transit. Remaking, of course, adds cost and frustration for clinician and patient both.
Intraoral scanning changes this: A full-arch digital scan can be completed in a matter of minutes, with the resulting file transmitted to the laboratory instantly and in a format that supports precise, predictable restorations. Practices adopting digital impressions report substantially lower remake rates and faster turnaround times – both of which have a direct impact on practice efficiency and patient satisfaction.[i]
The difference for patients is immediate – the removal of impression trays and materials alone improves the experience, and the ability to show patients a real-time 3D representation of their own dentition on a chairside screen transforms how treatment options are communicated. Case acceptance rates for orthodontic and implant treatments in particular are reported to improve significantly when patients can visualise for themselves what will happen next.[ii]
The in-house workflow
Practices ready to go further should consider the added benefits that could come with an in-house 3D printer. Once scan data is available, producing in-house surgical guides, night guards, aligner models, temporary restorations, and study models becomes possible without the delays and costs associated with outsourcing to a laboratory. The upfront investment in printing equipment is offset over time by reduced lab fees and the ability to offer faster, more convenient treatment to patients.
The range of applications continues to expand. Orthodontic practices producing in-house aligner models, implant teams printing surgical guides, and restorative dentists offering same-day temporaries were, until recently, workflows reserved for well-resourced specialist centres. The technology is now accessible to general dental practices, and the economic benefits are increasingly compelling.[iii]
Integration and support
The most common pitfall in digital adoption is treating it as a technology purchase rather than a change in workflow. Scanners and printers that sit underused because the team has not been trained, or that fail to integrate cleanly with existing laboratory relationships or practice management software, represent poor investments however capable the equipment might be.
Choosing technology that integrates with the wider clinical and administrative ecosystem – and a supplier that provides post-installation support, training and servicing – is as important as the specification of the device itself. A scanner is only as useful as the workflow it fits into.
Choosing a starting point
Dental Directory Group supplies a comprehensive range of digital dentistry equipment to practices across the UK, including intraoral scanners, 3D printers, and associated digital workflow solutions. Supported by one of the largest multi-skilled dental engineering teams in the country, Dental Directory provides installation, training, and ongoing maintenance to ensure the technology works as hard as the practices using it. With same-day dispatch on consumables and a team available to support product selection and account management, Dental Directory is the supply partner practices need when making the move to digital.
Not every practice needs to go fully digital overnight. Possibly the most straightforward entry point is intraoral scanning: it’s immediately applicable when it comes to restorative, orthodontic, and implant workflows, and the learning curve is manageable. The benefits to patients are felt from the very first appointment. 3D printing, CAD/CAM, and more advanced treatment planning integrations can follow in stages as confidence and case volume grow. What matters is approaching the decision with clear objectives, realistic expectations about the transition period, and a supplier relationship that supports the practice beyond the point of sale.
For more information on the products and maintenance services available from Dental Directory, please visit ddgroup.com or call 0800 585 586
Author: Dean Hallows, Managing Director of Dental Directory
[i] Bishara M, Miron RJ, Kurtzman GM, Sinada N, Wu DT. A Digital Approach to Immediate-Load, Full-Arch Implant Dentistry: A Case Report. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2022;42(5):587-593. doi:10.11607/prd.6048
[ii] Saini RS, Bavabeedu SS, Quadri SA, et al. Impact of 3D imaging techniques and virtual patients on the accuracy of planning and surgical placement of dental implants: A systematic review. Digit Health. 2024;10:20552076241253550. Published 2024 May 7. doi:10.1177/20552076241253550
[iii] Price: P. Dental 3D Printer Price: How Much Does Dental 3D Printing Cost? Formlabs. Published 2024. Accessed May 6, 2026. https://dental.formlabs.com/global/blog/dental-3d-printer-price/
