Today, people desire to have naturally beautiful smiles that are compatible with their physical characteristics and express their personalities. As a clinic using Digital Smile Design, it’s important to be aware of the many factors involved in developing a smile that goes beyond traditional dentistry.
Being a great digital smile designer requires an artistic vision and the ability to leverage new technology.
Digital Smile Design is a systematic approach to achieve functional and aesthetic dentistry on a consistent basis. It allows diagnosis, communication, treatment planning and execution in a proven predictable manner.
The concept is based on the analysis of the patient’s facial and tooth proportions. Using a series of high-resolution digital photos and videos, we are able to develop a deep understanding of the relationship of the teeth, gums, and lip to the rest of the face. Facial features that express emotion are analyzed to design the smile. Drawings are made on digital photographs to record measurements that translate into desired features of the smile. These photos are then used to communicate with the lab to produce a mold that is used to show the patient his new smile in his mouth.
The Digital Smile Design concept is customized for each patient. No two patients’ smiles are alike. The beauty of Digital Smile Design is the emotional response people get from the process of trying out their new smile. The patient becomes the co-author of the smile and allows them to contribute to their desires, expectations, color, shape and ultimately the final result.
The first appointment for Digital Smile Design takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The appointment consists of high-resolution digital photos and videos, as well as impressions for working models. At the follow-up appointment one week later, the patient will see almost exactly what the result will look like using the “test smile”. This is a direct copy of the smile design that temporarily goes over existing teeth to test the new smile. At the end of the appointment, the smile design is removed from the mouth before the patient leaves the office.
This “trial smile” is unique because the patient can see before and after photos before starting treatment. It allows the doctor and the patient to analyze the smile and make improvements if necessary, before starting the treatment. The patient can then accept the design and make an appointment to start working on their new smile.
