Prevention through 3d-dental printing

Denture Fabrication: A Modern Perspective

Since the NHS was introduced in 1948, the process of making dentures has seen little change. While impression materials have evolved, they are often messy and not environmentally friendly. 

Digital scanners have proven effective, particularly when used to scan a denture before it’s lost. They excel at supporting the design of partial dentures crafted by digital technicians, contributing to a growing service area.

Dental nurses are permitted to scan the mouth, as well as existing dentures. Below, we highlight some of the innovative products available now and in the future.

Scanning teeth has been available for longer than your smart phone. And like your phone, they improve iteratively, but unlike your phone have reduced on price. There are many preventive options here. One is to scan your denture before it's lost, and get a fresher replica spare denture. You can also make new partial dentures, and preventive devices such as nightguards, retainers, and even devices to stop snoring. As well as bleaching trays, we could make similar trays to apply SDF SIlver Diamine Fluoride using targeting reservoirs similar to some bleaching trays. We will be able to store your scan, and other clinical records such as your X-rays and use AI to help improve dental assessments. If you keep seeing a different dentist, you will have more treatment. If you have a conistent assessmant through AI, you will have less. You just need a dentist, or nurse to scan your teeth.

Modern Dentistry: Faster, Greener, and More Accessible

This video highlights the power of digital dentistry and how new technologies—once limited to specialist clinics—can now be used by trained dental nurses and made accessible to everyone. I made the video 3 years ago on how we could help in care homes.

We’re promoting the use of AI to interpret dental X-rays, producing accurate, consistent reports that can support diagnosis and care planning. With the right training, **dental nurses can help deliver this service efficiently**, reducing costs and increasing access.

Digital dentistry also allows us to:

Reproduce existing dentures or create new ones from scans.
Provide gumshields, retainers, night guards, bleaching trays, and anti-snoring devices via digital prescriptions—much like ordering glasses online.
Deliver quicker, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly solutions by using intraoral scanners, AI, and 3D printing.

Over 14 Years ago, I used a milling machines to produce white crowns Vilkscrowns on the NHS in a single visit—avoiding the traditional two-visit metal crown process as shown at the start at the video. Today’s technology has advanced dramatically:

Modern scanners are a fraction of the cost and far more accurate than early models.
Software improvementshave made scanning easier and more accessible.
A dental nurse can now perform a scan, and the system itself will indicate if it's insufficient—no identification needed for the operator.

With the rise of 3D printing, we can now manufacture custom-fit devices like retainers, mouthguards, and snoring appliances with precision and speed. These services should be as straightforward as ordering from an online optician.

👉 Ask your dentist for a scan—if they can’t offer digital solutions, look for a practice that can.

We can securely store your X-rays, photos, and dental scans, allowing us to monitor and learn from dental treatments over time. With your consent, sharing this digital data can contribute to long-term research and improve dental care for future generations.