Better Smiles With Technology: Digital Smile Design
If you are uncomfortable with your smile, you are not alone, as 36% of Americans are conscious of their teeth' appearance. If you are considering cosmetic dental work, your dentist will start by examining your teeth, gum, and jaw and send the specifications to the lab. The restorations will then be fitted on a cast model, and the dentist will transfer them to your mouth.
However, advanced technology has made this process more effective and personalized, thanks to digital smile design. Read on to explore more about this technology and its impact on cosmetic dentistry:
What is Digital Smile Design?
DSD allows cosmetic dentists to use sophisticated software to develop a 2D or 3D representation of your face and mouth. The resulting simulation will illustrate your new smile according to your facial planes.
Your dentist will map out the necessary restorative treatments to achieve the desired outcome, including veneers, implants, or crowns. Some patients may require a combination of interventions. You will be involved in the design stage, and your dentist may create trial restorations for you to try.
Digital smile design has revolutionized cosmetic dentistry in the country. For example, dentists can now consider the relationship between your mouth and parts of the face traditionally overlooked, like cheeks, lips, and eyes.
The DSD Process
The DSD process begins with a consultation, where you explain the desired outcomes for your teeth. Provide as many details as possible to your dentist with a clear picture of the situation. The next step is getting x-rays, impressions, videos, and photographs of your mouth and teeth. Video footage will capture your dental and facial proportions and your face's symmetry when you talk and laugh.
The data will be fed into the DSD software, and the dentist will use the 3D impression to try out different treatment options. The resulting simulation will be available for your evaluation, and you can suggest any adjustments.
Your dentist will then describe all the required treatments and cost breakdowns for the new smile, and you can expect a new smile that looks natural on your face.
Benefits of Digital Smile Design
The primary benefit of DSD is the personalized approach towards cosmetic dentistry. Practitioners can design implants, bridgework, veneers, crowns, and other treatments customized to each patient's unique requirements. The precision results will only make the new smile more aesthetically pleasing.
DSD also involves patients in decision-making, which will make you less nervous when undergoing treatments. You can request a mock-up impression before treatment so that you are confident of the dental plans.