Digital smile design: creating beautiful smiles with confidence and accuracy
At GoDigital Dental, we know that a great smile can make all the difference to a patient’s confidence. That’s why we offer our digital smile design service, an advanced technology that allows both the dentist and patient to see the results before treatment even begins. The future also looks bright; with the advancement of digital dental technology, we will soon have the software to create moving images of the patient actually wearing the proposed design.
What is digital smile design?
Digital smile design is a design tool we use in our dental lab for all situations. It is particularly useful to help patient acceptance for further treatment, especially in cosmetic cases, as they can visualise the final result and see whether they will be happy with it. Whether it’s for final ceramic restorations or a direct composite build-up workflow, we can assist you in the preliminary design phase.
Flexible solutions for every smile
Why choose GoDigital Dental for digital smile design?
Digital smile design at GoDigital Dental is more than just a way to create beautiful smiles; it’s a process that allows for precise planning, clearer communication, and better outcomes. With digital impressions, virtual design, and patient involvement, we can offer your patients the smile they’ve always wanted while making the process easier and more predictable for you. If you want to deliver great results with confidence, digital smile design is the way forward.
The beginning of a beautiful smile
Digital smile design at GoDigital Dental is more than just a way to create beautiful smiles; it’s a process that allows for precise planning, more transparent communication, and better outcomes. With digital impressions, virtual design, and opportunities for patient involvement, we can offer your patients the smile they’ve always wanted at our dental laboratory, while making the process easier and more predictable for you. If you want to deliver great results with confidence, digital smile design is the way forward.
Step 1:
Digital impressions and information
To start the process, we will need an IOS (intraoral scanner) file of both upper and lower arches. We’ll also need some visual references to create the ideal smile case for your patient, which are briefly outlined below. Further information can be provided on request, and we can also talk you through the best way to achieve the perfect photos.
Full face image with:
- Smiling, natural and full smile
- At rest
- With retractors
Videos:
- A close-up video of the patient going through phonetic movements
- Intraoral functional movements
For more information, please call the lab and speak to one of our technicians, who will be more than happy to guide you through the preliminary stages.
Step 2:
Smile design CAD software
After the intraoral digital scan is uploaded to our smile design CAD software, we create a virtual smile based on the patient’s facial features, needs, and preferences.
Photos and videos of the patient will be imported into the CAD software and aligned with the intraoral scan. The CAD team will then select the tooth libraries most suited to the patient’s facial features and use any pre-op photos that the patient wishes us to consider as part of their new smile design.
Step 3:
Patient preview
The patient then views the virtual smile and gives the dental team feedback. From this, any desired alterations can be made to ensure they are fully satisfied with the design before proceeding to the next stage.
For additive cases, we would recommend a trial smile stent so the patient can try their new smile and check phonetics.
Step 4:
Treatment begins
Once the smile trial is approved, we move forward with the treatment, following the digital plan to create the patient’s perfect smile.
If the final treatment involves ceramics, we can provide you with a prep guide to help you prepare the patient’s teeth and mouth for the very best result.
Alternatively, if the case is going to be finalised as a direct composite case, we can provide you with an Exaclear stent to your preferred specifications.
At GoDigital Dental, we’re committed to providing the best digital smile designs using advanced technology and expert craftsmanship. Let us help you deliver high-quality, long-lasting results for your patients.
Get in touch today and receive a complimentary consultation.
Digital Smile Design FAQs
What information and records do you require from us to begin a digital smile design case?
To start a digital smile design case, we need some important information and records from you. First, clear digital scans or impressions of the patient’s teeth and gums are essential. These give us the accurate shape and position needed to create the new smile. We also ask for high-quality photos of the patient’s face and teeth, including different angles and with the lips in a relaxed position. These photos help us understand the patient’s natural smile and facial features.
Along with scans and photos, we require details about the patient’s dental history, any concerns they have, and their desired outcome. It’s also helpful to include information about bite or jaw issues if there are any. The more information you provide, the better we can plan a smile that fits well and looks natural.
Once we have all the necessary records, our team uses digital design software to create a mock-up of the new smile. We will share this with you and the patient for feedback and any changes before moving forward with the final restorations. This helps make sure everyone is happy with the result.
Can patients see their new smile before treatment?
Absolutely. One of the biggest benefits of Digital Smile Design is that it allows patients to see a realistic preview of their new smile before any treatment begins. Using advanced software, the dentist can create a digital simulation that shows how the final result will look. This visual guide helps patients understand the planned changes and feel confident about moving forward.
In some cases, particularly for additive treatments, we can also offer a trial smile. This involves creating a temporary version of the new smile that the patient can actually wear. It is a great opportunity to see how the design feels and looks in real life before making any final decisions. Please note that trial smiles are only available for additive cases, not for all treatment types.
If the patient feels unsure or wants something altered, changes can be made before any permanent work is done. This process helps avoid unexpected results, ensures the patient is fully satisfied, and makes the overall journey more predictable and comfortable from start to finish.
What technology is used in digital smile design?
Digital smile design is a modern way that uses new dental technology to plan and create a patient’s new smile. It includes taking digital impressions and 3D scans of the mouth, which give a clear and accurate picture of the teeth and gums, helping us understand the patient’s overall dental health. Using these digital images, the dentist can carefully plan the smile design with the latest CAD software. This helps make precise changes and creates a truly personalised result.
Because everything is done digitally, the process is much more accurate than older methods. Digital tools lower the chance of mistakes and help make sure the final smile fits well and looks natural. This also means the treatment is often faster and easier, saving time for both the patient and the dental team.
In short, digital smile design is a smart and effective way to get beautiful, personalised smiles. It uses the latest technology with careful planning to give great results that patients can trust and feel happy with.
Why should I choose digital smile design over traditional methods
Digital smile design is a new and very accurate way to plan a new smile. It is more reliable than old methods because it uses modern digital technology to make a clear and detailed plan before any treatment starts, giving both the patient and dentist extra confidence in the process. One big benefit is that patients can see a digital picture of their new smile beforehand. This means they know exactly what to expect and won’t be surprised at the end. If something doesn’t look right, changes can be made early on, making sure the final result is what the patient wants.
This method is also helpful for dentists. With a detailed digital plan, they can prepare treatments better and do each step with confidence. This usually means fewer visits, less time in the dental chair, and a smoother experience for the patient. Digital Smile Design combines accuracy, speed, and personal care, making it a great choice for creating natural and lovely smiles that meet both health and appearance needs.
How do you ensure that the digital design accurately reflects the patient’s facial proportions and aesthetics?
We make sure the digital design matches the patient’s facial proportions and looks natural by using detailed photos and digital scans. When the patient visits for their appointment, we take pictures of their face from different angles, including their smile and profile. These photos help us see important features like lip shape, smile line, and how the teeth fit within the face. We then combine these images with the digital scans of the teeth and gums to create a complete and accurate digital model.
Using special software, we can carefully adjust the digital smile design to match the patient’s unique facial features and proportions. This helps us create a smile that looks balanced and suits the person’s face perfectly. The software also allows us to consider how the teeth will move and function with the lips and jaw, making sure everything works well together.
We work closely with the dentist and sometimes involve the patient to check the design before starting any treatment. This careful planning helps to make sure the final smile looks natural and fits beautifully with the patient’s overall appearance.
What happens if a patient doesn’t like their initial digital smile design?
If a patient is not happy with their first digital smile design, changes can be made easily before any treatment starts. Because the design is created using digital technology, adjustments to the shape, size, or position of the teeth can be done quickly and without any extra cost. This flexibility means patients can have input and make sure the smile looks exactly how they want it to. We find that involving patients early on helps avoid disappointment later.
We also encourage a virtual meeting between our team and the dentist to discuss any changes needed. If we can work together in real time, it helps speed up the process and makes sure everyone is happy with the design. This close communication allows for clear feedback and ensures that the design matches the patient’s expectations perfectly.
This way, the patient is fully satisfied before any real dental work begins. Unlike traditional methods, where changes can be difficult or costly, digital smile design gives patients more control, making sure they get the best possible result with less stress.
How does digital smile design improve treatment planning?
Digital smile design helps dentists plan treatments much more accurately than before. Because the entire process is mapped out using advanced digital tools, the dentist can carefully study the patient’s teeth, facial features, and how their teeth come together (called occlusion). This detailed information means dentists can make better decisions about how to treat each patient. It also reduces the chance of mistakes during treatment, helping to create a more successful outcome and improve overall patient satisfaction.
Having a clear and well-organised digital plan means the whole treatment process goes more smoothly. Dentists know exactly what steps to take, and how to achieve the best results with less guesswork. For patients, this is a big advantage because they can see a digital preview of their new smile before any work begins. This helps them understand what to expect and reduces worries or stress about the treatment.
Digital smile design improves communication between the dentist and patient, making the whole experience easier and more comfortable for everyone involved.
Is digital smile design suitable for complex cases?
Yes! Digital smile design is especially helpful for complex dental cases. It offers a clear and detailed plan, making it easier to manage difficult treatments like full smile makeovers, implant cases including All-on-X, or full mouth rehabilitation. This careful planning helps ensure that every step is considered before starting any work.
By creating a digital version of the final smile before treatment begins, dentists can identify potential problems early. This means the whole process is more efficient and the final result is more predictable. The digital plan allows dentists to suggest changes to things like occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) or how the teeth should be prepared, even before the patient visits the surgery for a review. This saves time and avoids unnecessary adjustments later on.
We are always here to support you throughout the process. Our team works closely with dentists to provide advice and guidance, helping to deliver accurate and reliable results. This way, patients can get the best possible smile, even in the most challenging cases.
Can digital smile design be used for both aesthetic and functional treatments?
Digital smile design is not just about improving the look of a patient’s smile; it also plays an important role in functional dental treatments. This means it helps dentists fix problems with how the teeth fit together when the mouth is closed, which is called the bite. It can also be used to restore teeth that have been worn down over time or to correct issues with teeth alignment. By carefully planning these treatments digitally, dentists can address both how the teeth look and how they work.
Because digital smile design focuses on both appearance and function, it ensures that the final restorations are not only attractive but also comfortable for the patient to wear. The restorations will work well during daily activities like eating and speaking. This approach helps patients avoid discomfort or problems that can happen when a smile only looks good but doesn’t work properly.
For these reasons, digital smile design is an excellent choice for both cosmetic treatments, which improve the smile’s appearance, and restorative treatments, which fix and strengthen teeth. It offers a balanced solution that meets the needs of many patients.
How does digital smile design reduce treatment time?
Digital smile design makes the whole treatment process much smoother compared to the traditional wax-up method. In traditional methods, dentists often have to make many adjustments during the treatment, and stone models need to be sent back and forth between the dental practice and the lab. This can take a lot of time and cause delays while waiting for everyone to agree on the final shape and look. Because of this back-and-forth, the process can feel slow and frustrating for both the dentist and the patient.
With digital smile design, the plan is created using precise digital tools from the very beginning. This means the design is accurate and well thought out, so fewer changes are needed once treatment starts. This saves a lot of time and avoids the need for extra appointments.
Because digital smile design is more efficient, patients usually have to come to fewer appointments overall. The process is also more comfortable and less stressful, making the whole experience better for everyone involved.
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GoDigital Dental | Dental Lab
6 Millennium Way West
Nottingham
NG8 6AS