How Photogrammetry Is Transforming Full-Arch Implant Workflows with 3DDX

Delivering passive, precisely fitted full-arch restorations has always been a benchmark of excellence in implant dentistry. Yet, despite advancements in digital workflows, many practices still wrestle with inconsistencies caused by conventional scanning methods, especially in complex All-on-X cases.

At 3DDX, we believe precision shouldn’t be a gamble. By introducing photogrammetry into our full-arch workflows, we’ve redefined how clinicians capture, plan, and restore multi-implant cases with repeatable accuracy, reduced chair time, and dramatically improved outcomes.

This article explores how photogrammetry is not just another tool, it’s a pivotal evolution in the future of implant planning.

A New Era in Implant Dentistry

The shift from analog to digital dentistry has unlocked significant gains in efficiency and collaboration. Yet, multi-implant edentulous cases still present one of the toughest challenges: capturing precise implant positions without error accumulation across a full arch.

While intraoral scanners (IOS) have improved, their limitations in full-arch applications remain well documented. Stitching errors, soft tissue movement, and lack of stable landmarks can all contribute to misalignment, leading to restorative headaches.

Photogrammetry, a once-niche imaging method, has now emerged as the standard-bearer for implant-level accuracy—offering a compelling alternative for clinicians seeking elevated precision with fewer compromises.

What Is Photogrammetry, and Why Is It So Accurate?

Photogrammetry is the science of capturing 3D spatial data using a calibrated set of photographs. When applied to implant dentistry, it provides an ultra-precise map of implant positions based on visual triangulation, not software-stitched surface models.

Here’s how it compares to conventional IOS:

Feature	Intraoral Scanning	Photogrammetry
Image Capture Method	Continuous scan (stitched images)	Multiple calibrated photos
Accuracy in Full Arch	Prone to distortion	Highly stable and repeatable
Best Use Case	Tooth-borne or quadrant scans	Full-arch, multi-implant cases
Workflow Fit	Broad but variable	Targeted and reliable

Photogrammetry isn’t just more precise, it’s more reproducible. In fact, leading publications including Dentistry Today and Implant Practice US have highlighted its game-changing potential in prosthetic accuracy.

The 3DDX Digital Workflow: Photogrammetry Built In

At 3DDX, photogrammetry isn’t a bolt-on, it’s embedded into our fully guided, cloud-based implant planning system. The workflow integrates seamlessly into the All-on-X pathway, whether you’re delivering immediate temporaries or definitive prosthetics.

Step-by-Step Overview

Initial Submission: Clinician sends CBCT, intraoral scans, and bite records via the 3DDX cloud portal.
Photogrammetry Capture: Chairside scan using systems like OptiSplint®, capturing implant-level data in minutes.
Digital Planning: 3DDX engineers design a surgical and prosthetic plan using both photogrammetry and 3D diagnostics.
Guided Surgery: Guides are fabricated with surgical precision for implant placement.
Prosthesis Fabrication: Restorations are milled based on validated implant positions, ensuring passive fit.

Why Clinicians Trust 3DDX for Photogrammetry Cases

When it comes to precision, every micron matters. Here’s what sets 3DDX’s photogrammetry-driven workflows apart:

Sub-100 Micron Accuracy: Implant-level precision with minimal cumulative error
Accelerated Turnaround: Faster planning and delivery of guides and final prosthetics
Improved Patient Experience: Shorter visits, fewer appointments, and enhanced outcomes
Full Integration: Compatible with Planmeca, Vatech, and leading photogrammetry systems

What’s Next: The Future of Full-Arch Digital Dentistry

Photogrammetry is no longer experimental, it’s the next frontier in full-arch digital workflows. As more clinicians adopt this approach, the dental community is seeing:

Wider use of AI-assisted planning tools
Seamless cloud integration between labs and surgeons
Growth of training collaborations through institutes like Pikos and Misch

3DDX is at the forefront of this transformation, helping clinicians reduce risk while increasing control across every phase of implant treatment.

Conclusion: From Image to Insertion, Precision Delivered

Incorporating photogrammetry into digital workflows isn’t just a technological upgrade—it’s a clinical advantage. For clinicians who place a premium on accuracy, efficiency, and predictability in All-on-X and full-arch cases, 3DDX provides a solution built on science, not assumptions.

Start your next full-arch case with 3DDX’s photogrammetry workflow.
Experience the difference that precision, and partnership, can make.

References

Dentistry Today (2024). “Photogrammetry: Raising the Bar for Full-Arch Implant Accuracy”
Implant Practice US (2023). “Evaluating Accuracy in Digital Full-Arch Workflows”
3DDX Case Documentation: “Using OptiSplint® for All-on-X Workflows”
(GFMP) Internal Report: “Comparative Fit Analysis—Photogrammetry vs IOS”
AOX 2025 Clinical Protocol by 3DDX