A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing London Orthodontists with Advanced Scans
Choosing an orthodontist in London has become a more involved decision than it used to be. The range of clinics, treatment options, and pricing structures is broader than ever – and beneath the surface, there are significant differences in the technology used to diagnose, plan, and monitor treatment. One of the most consequential of these is whether a clinic uses advanced digital scanning as part of its process.
This guide walks through how to find and evaluate London orthodontists who use modern scanning technology, and why that matters more than most people realise when they start looking.
Step 1: Understand What Advanced Scanning Actually Means
Before you can evaluate whether a clinic’s technology is genuinely advanced, it helps to know what the terms refer to. There are two types of imaging that distinguish modern orthodontic practice from older approaches.
- iTero digital scanning replaces traditional alginate impressions – the trays of goopy material patients had to bite into – with a wand-based scanner that creates a precise 3D digital model of the teeth in minutes. It’s faster, more comfortable, and more accurate.
- 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) scanning provides a low-radiation three-dimensional X-ray that shows not just teeth but bone structure, root positions, and airway anatomy. This is particularly relevant for complex cases, surgical planning, and growing patients where jaw development is a factor.
- Outcome simulators – tools like the Invisalign Outcome Simulator built into iTero scanners – allow patients to see a visualisation of their projected result before treatment begins.
Not every clinic needs CBCT for every patient – but clinics that have it available and use it appropriately are working to a higher diagnostic standard than those relying solely on traditional two-dimensional X-rays.
Step 2: Research Clinics Before Booking a Consultation
The most efficient way to filter London orthodontists by technology level is research before you pick up the phone. Several sources give you useful, verifiable information.
- Clinic websites – look specifically for mentions of iTero scanning, digital impressions, CBCT, or 3D imaging. Clinics that have invested in this technology typically feature it prominently.
- Invisalign provider status – Invisalign’s tiered provider system (Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Apex) correlates with case volume and experience. Higher-tier providers are required to use iTero scanning as part of their process, so provider status is a proxy indicator of digital capability.
- GDC specialist register – the General Dental Council maintains a register of registered dental specialists. An orthodontist on the specialist register has completed a postgraduate qualification in orthodontics, which is distinct from a general dentist offering orthodontic treatments.
- CQC registration – all dental practices in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. You can verify registration and check inspection ratings online.
Step 3: Book a Consultation and Ask the Right Questions
A consultation is as much an opportunity to evaluate the clinic as it is for the orthodontist to evaluate you. Come prepared with specific questions about technology and process.
- Does the clinic use digital scanning or traditional impressions?
- Is iTero or an equivalent digital scanner used for all patients or only Invisalign cases?
- Is CBCT imaging available on site, and under what circumstances would it be used?
- Can you see a simulation of your projected result before committing to treatment?
- How are progress records taken during treatment – photographs, scans, or both?
A clinic using advanced scanning will answer these questions clearly and confidently. A clinic that deflects or responds vaguely is likely still working with older methods.
Step 4: Evaluate the Treatment Plan You’re Offered
Advanced scanning doesn’t just make diagnosis more precise – it changes the quality of the treatment plan itself. A properly executed digital planning process should produce a treatment plan that’s specific to you, not a generic outline.
- The plan should reference your specific tooth positions, bite relationship, and any skeletal factors
- It should be clear which movements are being made and in what sequence
- For Invisalign, a ClinCheck video showing each stage of tooth movement should be available
- For fixed braces, the bracket positioning and wire sequencing should be discussed
At Boston Orthodontics, led by Dr Elif Keser – a consultant orthodontist with over 20 years of international experience – treatment planning uses the latest digital technology alongside a highly individualised approach that considers facial harmony, not just tooth position.
Step 5: Compare Clinics on Technology and Clinical Expertise Together
Technology matters, but it’s only valuable in the hands of someone with the clinical judgement to use it well. A clinic with an iTero scanner and a generalist dentist is not the same as a clinic with an iTero scanner and a specialist orthodontist.
- Check whether the clinician leading your treatment is a specialist orthodontist (on the GDC specialist register) or a general dentist with orthodontic training
- Ask how many cases similar to yours the clinician has treated
- Look at before-and-after cases on the clinic’s website – do the results look consistent and high quality?
- Consider whether the clinic has experience with your specific treatment type – lingual braces, surgical orthodontics, early intervention for children, and complex adult cases each require different expertise
The combination of advanced scanning and genuine specialist expertise is what produces consistently excellent outcomes.
Step 6: Assess the Monitoring Process
Advanced scanning isn’t just for the beginning of treatment. The best clinics use digital monitoring throughout.
- Progress scans taken at intervals allow the orthodontist to compare actual tooth movement against the planned trajectory and adjust if needed
- Remote monitoring apps (such as DentalMonitoring) allow patients to submit photos between appointments, reducing unnecessary visits while maintaining oversight
- Digital records provide a clear audit trail of treatment progress that’s more precise than written notes
Ask at consultation how your progress will be monitored and whether any remote check-in capability is available. For busy patients, clinics offering digital monitoring between appointments represent a meaningful practical advantage.
FAQs
Do I need a referral to see a specialist orthodontist in London?
No. You can self-refer to most specialist orthodontic clinics in London without a referral from your dentist. Some patients choose to ask their dentist for a recommendation, but it isn’t required.
What’s the difference between a specialist orthodontist and a dentist offering orthodontics?
A specialist orthodontist has completed an additional three-year postgraduate qualification in orthodontics beyond their dental degree and is registered on the GDC specialist register. A general dentist offering orthodontic treatments has not necessarily completed this additional training. For complex cases, a specialist is strongly advisable.
Is digital scanning more accurate than traditional impressions?
Digital scanning consistently produces more accurate models than alginate impressions, which can distort as they set. The clinical evidence base for digital impressions shows superior accuracy for both fixed appliance and aligner cases.
How long does a digital scan take?
A full mouth digital scan with an iTero scanner typically takes five to ten minutes, compared to the multiple trays and extended chair time of traditional impressions. Most patients find it significantly more comfortable.
What does a 3D scan show that a normal X-ray doesn’t?
Standard dental X-rays show teeth and bone in two dimensions, which means depth and three-dimensional root positions are estimated rather than measured. A CBCT scan shows the full three-dimensional structure of teeth, roots, bone, and surrounding anatomy – which is particularly valuable for planning complex tooth movements, assessing bone volume, and treatment planning in growing patients.
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