Could one scanner change your entire practice? For Dr Gina Vega, it did.
In this episode of the TechDental podcast, host Dr Randeep Singh Gill sits down with Dr Gina Vega, Director, Principal Dentist at Bishopsgate Dental Care, to explore how early adoption of digital scanning and AI has redefined her practice, from workflow and case acceptance to long-term growth.
From taking over a bankrupt clinic to completing over 1,250 Invisalign cases, Dr Vega shares the systems, mindset, and tools that helped her lead a patient-first, tech-enabled transformation.
From Bankruptcy to 1,250+ Invisalign Cases: The Power of Early Adoption
Dr Vega’s journey to building a leading cosmetic and Invisalign practice began far from London, in Mexico City. She decided she wanted to be a dentist at just eight years old and eventually qualified in 1998. But when she moved to the UK in 2000, she couldn’t practise straight away. Rather than change careers, she requalified through the International Qualifying Exam (IQE) in 2004, worked across NHS and mixed practices, and entered private dentistry by 2008.
Then came the leap. In 2010, she purchased Bishopsgate Dental Care, a bankrupt practice in the heart of the City of London. Along with it came 20 Invisalign cases and no training.
“I didn’t even know what Invisalign was. I had to learn how to place the attachments, how to do the interproximal reduction, everything.”
By 2016, Dr Vega fully embraced Invisalign and cosmetic treatments. Today, she has completed over 1,250 Invisalign cases, with more than 70% of her practice dedicated to Invisalign, whitening, and cosmetic care, powered by iTero scanners and AI-driven tools.
The Future Is Already Here: Using iTero and AI to Build Trust
For Dr Vega, success with technology isn’t about the device; it’s about how you use it to improve patient experience. A major turning point came in 2017 when Gina trialled an iTero scanner at an open day. She immediately saw the benefit, not just for workflow, but for patient communication.
“We scan. We take photos. We record a video of the patient. Within minutes, they’re watching themselves speak with their new smile already in place.”
Using the iTero Outcome Simulator and Invisalign Practice App, Dr Vega enables real-time smile previews that radically shift how patients understand their treatment options. This approach has transformed consultations from transactional to relational; patients see their future smile and commit faster.
Her consultation workflow today includes:
Taking a 3D scan with iTero
Capturing photos through the Invisalign Practice App
Recording a short video of the patient
Using AI to simulate the treatment outcome
Playing back the patient’s video, now showing their potential smile
It’s a blend of psychology and precision: visuals reduce uncertainty, while AI and digital models reinforce trust. These simulations not only improve understanding, they make patients feel seen, which drives stronger emotional engagement and faster decisions.
Measuring ROI: How Long Until It Pays Off?
Adopting high-tech dental tools comes with upfront costs but also measurable returns.
“It took us probably about six months to see some return on investment… At the beginning, appointments were longer, but once you get quicker, you can see more patients per day.”
Here’s how the investment typically breaks down:
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Beyond finances, the scanner supports growth by creating a smoother patient journey, one that leads to 5-star reviews and referrals.
“It’s not only about ROI on Invisalign… Overall, patient satisfaction drives reviews, and those reviews bring in new patients.”
Beyond Invisalign: A New Standard for Patient Retention
What sets Dr Vega apart isn’t just her Invisalign volume, it’s how she integrates scanning across all treatments.
“Every new patient gets scanned. We track gum recession, tooth wear and even decay using NIRI images. That builds trust.”
By using scanners to monitor change over time, her practice creates a reason for patients to return, because they're invested in their progress. Time-lapse scans, side-by-side comparisons, and AI-enhanced visuals aren’t just nice add-ons. They’re relationship tools.
“Sometimes patients say, ‘My last dentist said everything was fine.’ But we show them the decay. They see it for themselves.”
This commitment to visibility and education has strengthened long-term patient retention, even among patients who’ve moved or retired.
Don’t Get Left Behind: Adapting to Digital-First Patients
“We’re treating generations that were born with phones in their hands. They expect tech in every part of their life, including dentistry.”
Millennial and Gen Z patients aren’t passive. They want clarity, efficiency, and digital touchpoints. Dr Vega warns that practices resistant to change risk losing relevance.
Practices that fail to meet those expectations may quickly become irrelevant, no matter how skilled the clinical work is. Digital adoption isn’t a competitive edge anymore; it’s a baseline expectation.
Practical Tips for Practice Owners
Whether you're considering your first scanner or upgrading your digital workflows, here’s what Dr Vega recommends:
Start with patient value: Don’t just buy tech, build it into your patient journey
Train your whole team: From nurses to front desk, everyone should be tech-fluent
Track meaningful metrics: Case acceptance, appointment length, recall rates
Manage expectations: Explain that AI-generated visuals are simulations, not guarantees
Use every feature: Beyond Invisalign, scan for hygiene, monitoring, bonding prep, and more
At its core, Dr Vega’s philosophy is clear: Technology should humanise care, not complicate it. From visualising smiles in seconds to empowering nurses to scan independently, the digital tools she’s adopted have allowed her to do what great dentists do best: connect, treat, and grow trust.
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FAQs
How long does it take to see ROI from a scanner like iTero?
Most practices see measurable ROI in 4-6 months, depending on training speed and integration across services.
Can scanners like iTero be used for non-Invisalign cases?
Absolutely. They’re used for everything from crowns and veneers to hygiene tracking and patient education.
Is AI actually used in dental consultations today?
Yes. Tools like the iTero Outcome Simulator show real-time visuals of potential outcomes, helping patients commit with confidence.
How do I train my team on scanning tech?
Dr Vega recommends hands-on in-practice training, gradual delegation, and setting internal protocols to phase out traditional methods.
If you're a principal, associate, or practice manager exploring scanners, AI, or digital planning tools, this episode is your sign to take action. You don’t need a perfect rollout, just a clear intention to improve how you communicate, treat, and grow.
Ready to future-proof your practice? Start with one scanner. Use it daily. And watch the shift begin.
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