A COSMETIC dental practice in York has invested more than £80,000 in the latest scanning technology to improve oral procedures, increase efficiency and bring new revenue streams for the business.

Andrea Ubhi's Cosmetic Dentistry practice, in Stonegate, has invested the five-figured sum in a new CT scanner and accompanying software.

The on-site technology allows patients to have 3D images taken of their mouths during consultation appointments, with the scans used to carry out "virtual surgery" so the outcome of physical treatments can be more accurately pre-determined.

The practice, which employs a team of 12, has already seen a 20 per cent increase in the uptake of treatments following the installation of the scanner, and is now taking referrals from other dentists across the region.

Dr Adam Glassford, a dental surgeon at Andrea Ubhi York, said: "Using these scanners has become the gold standard way of doing things.

"Before we had to rely on x-rays which left us with a lot of guess work to do as it didn't show things like bone thickness of nerves.

"Initially we would have to send patients to hospital, and more recently to Ilkley for these kind of scans.

"Now we can do everything in the initial consultation in terms of assessing what work needs to be done and planning the treatment, so the next time we see a patient it is to carry out the treatment.

"This means a lot as have many patients who travel from across the country for appointments, some from as far as Ireland."

The CT scanner is used to provide clinicians with 3D visualisation of the anatomy of the jaws and associated structures, to improve planning for procedures and to reduce litigation risk.

For dental implantology clinicians can look at bone quality, bone height and width, and the positions of adjacent nerves and teeth, while in orthodontics it allows for the visualisation of unerupted teeth and tooth position, and the anatomy and curves of roots in root canal treatment.

Andrea Ubhi said: We are recognised for being cutting edge in the north. The way technology is going we needed the CT scanner to keep up with that.

"We have had a great reputation for a long time. That has seen us through the recession, and now that has passed we are among the first to see growth."