On 6th May 2026, Dr Amit Jilka (Principal Dentist) and Dr Jas Poonian were personally
invited by Planmeca HQ to their global headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, for the exclusive
Digital Perfection Tour 2026. The invitation reflects Abbey House Dental’s long-standing
partnership with Planmeca — now spanning over a decade — and our continued
commitment to investing in the very best dental technology for patients across Staffordshire
and Stoke-on-Trent.
This blog takes you behind the scenes of that visit, explains why the equipment we use
matters for your treatment, and shows what sets Abbey House Dental apart as a leading
provider of Dental Implants, Invisalign and complex dental care in the region.
Planmeca is the largest privately-owned dental technology company in the world.
Headquartered in Helsinki and family-run, the Planmeca Group reported a turnover of €1.2
billion in 2024, employs over 4,400 people, and operates an active sales and distribution
network across more than 120 countries.
The group designs and manufactures premium dental equipment under several renowned
brands, including:
For Abbey House Dental, this matters because every Planmeca product is hand-built and
tested in Finland or Germany under some of the strictest quality standards in the industry.
When you sit in our chair, the equipment around you has been engineered to last and
designed with patient safety, comfort and accuracy at its core.
After flying into Helsinki, we checked into the Hotel Scandic Grand Central in the heart of
the city, ready for an early start the following morning.
09:00 — Dental Unit Factory Tour
Our first stop was the Planmeca dental unit factory on Sorvaajankatu 7. What struck us
immediately was that every component is built and assembled by hand on site. Each
dental chair is made-to-order to the customer’s exact specification — typically taking
around three weeks from order to dispatch.
Every chair is then put through rigorous mechanical, electrical and durability testing
multiple times before it ever leaves the factory floor. This level of in-house manufacturing
and quality control is rare in modern medical device production and is a major reason we
have chosen Planmeca for our Stone, Stafford, Rugeley and Stoke-on-Trent practices.
09:45 — Welcome to Planmeca Group
We were welcomed into the showroom for a company presentation covering Planmeca’s 50-
year history, the family ownership story, and the future direction of the business —
particularly around artificial intelligence and digital workflows.
11:00 — The Latest in CBCT Imaging
This session was particularly relevant to us. Abbey House Dental currently operates three
Planmeca CBCT scanners across our sites, including their most recently launched model.
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is a 3D imaging technology that has
transformed modern dentistry.
At Abbey House Dental, we routinely use CBCT imaging for:
For patients considering Dental Implants, this level of 3D imaging helps our clinicians plan treatment with greater accuracy before any procedure begins.
Both Dr Jilka and several members of our clinical team are trained not only to take CBCT
scans but also to report on them clinically — a level of training that takes many years to
develop and is not available at every dental practice.
12:15 — CAD/CAM Solutions
The CAD/CAM session showcased Planmeca’s latest digital workflow for designing and
producing dental restorations such as crowns, bridges and surgical guides — moving away
from traditional impressions and lab turnaround times toward faster, more accurate digital
workflows.
13:15 — Welcome Lunch A working lunch on the sixth floor of the headquarters gave us the chance to network with
the wider Planmeca team and other invited clinicians.
14:00 — Imaging Unit Factory Tour
After lunch we toured the imaging unit factory, where the CBCT and OPG
(orthopantomogram) machines are built. Worth noting: CBCT scanners can also produce
conventional 2D X-rays and OPG panoramic images. This is important because we use
these images extensively for our Invisalign and orthodontic cases — and as the number
one provider of Invisalign in Staffordshire, image quality and accuracy are central to how
we plan smiles for our patients.
14:30 — Romexis® 7 Software with AI
This was one of the most exciting sessions of the day. Romexis 7 is Planmeca’s all-in-one
dental software platform, now featuring AI-powered implant planning. The software can
analyse a patient’s CBCT scan and assist with planning the safest and most effective
implant placement — improving accuracy, reducing planning time and ultimately delivering
better outcomes for patients.
This is the future of Dental Implants and digital implant dentistry, and it is technology Abbey House Dental will continue to integrate as we lead the field in implant care across Stoke-on-Trent, Stone, Stafford and Rugeley.
15:45 — Hands-On Demonstration
The day continued with hands-on time on the latest Planmeca dental units, exploring user centred design, ergonomic workflow, and the legendary KaVo handpieces — the gold standard in dental drills and instruments worldwide.
We also explored Planmed’s medical-grade equipment, including their CBCT scanners used in orthopaedics and their mammography systems — areas in which Planmeca Group
continues to expand.
17:30 — A Truly Finnish Evening
To finish the day, the Planmeca team hosted us at their lakeside Harbo Lounge, complete
with a traditional Finnish sauna and a wonderful dinner showcasing local Finnish specialities.
Visits like this are not just trips — they are part of how we stay at the forefront of dentistry.
Here is what our patients in Stone, Stafford, Rugeley and Stoke-on-Trent gain as a direct
result:
Abbey House Dental has worked with Planmeca for over ten years. This is not a
coincidence — it is a deliberate choice. We invest in the best because our patients deserve
the best, whether they are coming to us for a routine check-up, a complex implant case, an
Invisalign journey, or a wisdom tooth removal.
What is a CBCT scanner and why does my dentist use one?
A CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scanner is a 3D X-ray machine specifically designed for dental and maxillofacial imaging. It uses significantly less radiation than a hospital CT scanner and
provides three-dimensional views of teeth, bone, nerves and sinuses. We use CBCT at
Abbey House Dental for implant planning, wisdom tooth assessment, root canal diagnosis
and investigating pathology.
Where can I get a CBCT scan in Staffordshire?
Abbey House Dental operates three Planmeca CBCT scanners across our practices in Stone, Stafford, Rugeley and Stoke-on Trent, including the latest generation model. We also accept referrals from other dentists in the region for CBCT imaging and reporting.
Are dental implants at Abbey House Dental safe?
Yes. We use CBCT imaging combined with AI-assisted implant planning through Planmeca’s Romexis 7 software to ensure every implant is placed in the safest and most accurate position possible. Dr Amit Jilka has many years of training in implant dentistry and CBCT reporting.
Is Abbey House Dental a leading Invisalign provider?
Yes. Abbey House Dental is them number one Invisalign provider in Staffordshire, supported by digital imaging, intra-oral scanning and the latest treatment-planning software.
Where is Planmeca made?
Planmeca dental units, imaging devices and CAD/CAM solutions are designed and manufactured in Helsinki, Finland, using the latest technology and the best materials. KaVo instruments are produced in Germany. Every product is hand built and tested before being shipped to dental practices worldwide.
How does digital technology improve Dental Implants?
Digital technology improves Dental Implants by giving our dentists a clearer view of the patient’s bone, nerves and surrounding structures. At Abbey House Dental, CBCT scanning and AI-assisted planning help make implant treatment more accurate, predictable and carefully planned.
Whether you are considering Dental Implants, Invisalign, wisdom tooth removal, root canal treatment, or simply want a check-up at a practice that uses the very best in dental technology, Abbey House Dental is here for you.
Find us in Stone, Stafford, Rugeley and Stoke-on-Trent, or get in touch through our
website to book your consultation.
Better care through innovation — that is the Planmeca slogan, and it is one we share at Abbey House Dental every single day.
About the authors: Dr Amit Jilka is the Principal Dentist at Abbey House Dental, with extensive training in dental implants, CBCT imaging and complex restorative dentistry. Dr Jas Poonian is a dentist at Abbey House Dental with a special interest in cosmetic and digital dentistry. Both attended the Planmeca Digital Perfection Tour 2026 in Helsinki on 6th May 2026.
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