Full-arch dental implant provider 21D delivered just under 11,000 implants last year, with 87% of that volume dedicated to full-mouth rehabilitation, according to an interview on The DrBicuspid.com Podcast featuring founder Dr. Rajesh Vijay. The company, which launched in 2022, routinely handles 16 to 24 surgical cases per day as demand for standardized full-arch treatment grows.
From Aerospace Simulation to Dental Standardization
Dr. Rajesh Vijay entered the full-mouth implant sector in the late 1990s when he opened his first company in the United Kingdom. At the time, industry peers considered a business model focused solely on full-mouth rehabilitation to be highly risky. Vijay grew that initial enterprise into a market leader before retiring in 2019. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to the sector, contacting aerospace and general engineers to develop new simulation models.
That engineering collaboration yielded a surgical guide precise enough to place implants that fit a pre-manufactured prosthesis. To prove that systematic protocols matter more than individual operator skill, Vijay deliberately avoided using his own surgical guides or prosthetics in his early clinics. Colleagues frequently attributed his success to personal talent, but Vijay wanted general practitioners to see that following strict operational rules delivers consistent results.
Vijay compares dental standardization to orthopedics, noting that hip and knee replacements became significantly more reliable once surgeons and manufacturers adopted uniform approaches. He argues that the dental industry often acts as a specialist at fragmentation, whereas implants are mechanically just screws. In his view, the real clinical complexity lies in managing the bone, coordinating with the prosthodontist, and executing the surgery.
ArchOS Automation and Clinical Workflow
To streamline the surgical process, Vijay developed ArchOS, a digital planning platform built on the standardized datasets generated by 21D. Clinicians upload a computed tomography (CT) scan, an intraoral scan, and a face scan into the system. Within approximately 15 minutes, the clinician receives a comprehensive treatment plan containing the wax-up, alveoplasty specifications, and exact implant positions.
The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to evaluate bone density across the CT scan, generating specific heat maps for bone stability and vascularity. The software then automatically spaces the implants according to parameters established by the clinician. Vijay emphasizes that the artificial intelligence tool is designed to accelerate complex calculations and sharpen clinical judgment rather than replace the practitioner.
Addressing Common Misconceptions in Full-Arch Treatment
When discussing industry attitudes toward full-arch procedures, Vijay identifies overcomplication as the primary misconception among general dentists. He contends that procedural confidence originates from deep mechanical understanding rather than attending standard weekend continuing education courses. Furthermore, Vijay advocates for licensing software and treatment models to local clinicians near patients, aiming to minimize the necessity for patients to travel long distances for specialized care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the company name 21D represent?
The name 21D stands for 21st-century dentistry, reflecting the company’s focus on modernized, standardized implant workflows.
What specific scans are required to generate an ArchOS treatment plan?
Clinicians must upload a computed tomography scan, an intraoral scan, and a face scan to receive the automated treatment plan.
How long does it take to receive a complete treatment plan from ArchOS?
Clinicians receive a complete plan, including the wax-up, alveoplasty, and implant positions, in about 15 minutes.
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