What is Digital Smile Design?
Digital Smile Design (DSD) is a method of creating a virtual representation of the results that may be achieved from different types of reconstructive dental work. The procedure utilises intraoral scanning technologies as well as video and photographic analysis to create an accurate virtualisation, allowing the patient to explore a range of treatment options.
What is the Digital Smile Design Process?
The exact Digital Smile Design (DSD) process may vary between dentists.
Initially, patients wishing to undergo the digital smile design process will be invited to attend a consultation with the dentist.
Next, general options are discussed around patient goals, likely treatments and general costs.
Where the dentist feels that the patient is a good candidate for progressing to the treatment stage (i.e. undergoing the DSD procedure), the dentist will outline the DSD methodology.
The DSD process is designed to analyse the patient’s facial structure, including the shape and position of the lips, cheek bones, gums, and teeth (both in resting position and when smiling).
This is because the DSD process aims to ensure that the patient benefits from dental work that looks and feels as natural as possible when the face is both resting and moving (e.g. speaking).
The DSD process may involve:
- Digital X-rays from different angles
- Taking a digital scan of the upper and lower teeth
- High Definition video footage and photography of the resting-to-smiling face
These so-called ‘before’ images allow the patient to compare the virtualised ‘after’ results of the DSD process to current appearances (including when resting or smiling).
The patient is invited to share any thoughts about the comparison between the before and after imagery, highlighting any desired alterations to the treatment.
This could include noting any preferences over tooth shape, positioning, and colour, and will result in an outcome that meets the patient’s expectations of the DSD process.
How long does the Digital Smile Design process take?
The process of undergoing all relevant digital scans, photography (including video), and X-rays is usually completed in around 30 – 40 minutes.
Once completed, the data is transferred to the Digital Smile Design lab where expert technicians follow up with analysis.
This includes using smile analysis software to create accurate visualisations of the completed DSD process.
Patients can expect the work carried out by the DSD lab technicians to be completed in around one week.
When the results are returned to the dentist, the patient will be invited to attend a consultation.
This consultation period allows the patient to preview the results that may be possible following the different DSD procedures that the dentist outlines as being the most suitable.
Where the patient is pleased with a particular result returned by the Digital Smile Design technician team, the decision to go ahead with the treatment may be made.
Depending on the number of treatments and the extent of the treatment required, the overall completion time for a patient’s individual Digital Smile Design treatment plan will vary.
Is the Digital Smile Design Process Painful?
No, the Digital Smile Design is not painful.
The entire Digital Smile Design process involves taking only dental moulds, HD video and photography, X-rays, and intraoral digital scanning.
This means that the process is comfortable and fast.
The patient is required to move the mouth and head into the optimal position relevant to the scan / photo / X-ray being performed, with no pain or discomfort.
Can anybody undergo the Digital Smile Design process?
The results from all Digital Smile Design procedures are tailored to each individual patient.
This means that before any work can be carried out, the dentist will assess the eligibility of each patient on a one-to-one basis.
For example, consideration must be given to any dental health issues that will need to be addressed as part of any cosmetic treatment.
DSD is used to design the ideal aesthetic smile – which in turn forms the road map for any dental work.
In some cases, the route forwards may involve multiple specialities (e.g. orthodontics and gum surgery). Options will be discussed fully with the patient, including costs, giving the dentist a clear idea of what the patient wants to achieve in terms of end results.
Where the dentist determines that the patient has good oral health and is otherwise of a suitable age and is of good general health, the Digital Smile Design procedure may go ahead.
What are the benefits of Digital Smile Design?
The major benefit to the patient of choosing to undergo the Digital Smile Design process is that the patient is able to see the results of any dental treatment prior to agreeing to the work.
The DSD process also grants the dentist with the freedom to explore a wide variety of treatment options within a short period of time.
The combined benefit of virtualised treatment and offering a greater range of treatments is that the patient is included in the design process.
In effect, this means that the patient is able to choose a new smile from a list of options.
Where a treatment plan is decided and agreed by the patient, the work can be carried out in a timely fashion with a significantly reduced risk of an undesirable outcome requiring corrections.
What happens after the Digital Smile Design process is complete?
The dentist will collate the data from all digital scans, photography, and video taken of the patient’s mouth.
Next, the dentist will consult with the DSD dental lab, where decisions over the most appropriate treatments relative to the patient’s desired outcome will be created using DSD software.
Depending on the results expected and agreed by the patient, the DSD treatment plan may include additional beneficial elements, such as:
- Implants
- Gum surgery
- Teeth whitening
- Orthodontic braces (assessed here; provided by the specialist orthodontists at ISCD)
- Composite veneers / ceramic veneers
Any additional dental work suggested by the dentist will be outlined to the patient.
This includes advice on how any additional procedures are likely to affect the expected completion date of the restorative work.
How much does DSD cost?
Patients are advised that treatment fees are not included in the costs associated with Digital Smile Design – the dentist will discuss all pricing with the patient in full.
Standard DSD fees of around €350 should be expected. For patients wishing to spread the payments, finance options may be available (again this should be discussed with the dentist).
DSD fees covers the costs of taking digital images of the teeth and gums using intraoral and extraoral equipment, as well as covering all follow up analysis and treatment planning.
The patient is presented with a comparison of treatments that may be achieved through a variety of treatments – this is the patient’s opportunity both to indicate a preference for a particular treatment and also to voice any desire to alter a treatment to fall more in line with the patient’s expectations.
Is DSD the final result?
The dentist will involve the patient in designing a bespoke treatment plan based on the digital smile design treatment options. The plan may involve a combination of actions to be undertaken.
For example, treatments could include teeth whitening, orthodontic braces, or dental veneers.
This means that the results returned from the Digital Smile Design work are not necessarily final until the patient has agreed all treatment plan specifications with the dentist.
What if I don’t like my smile in DSD?
Multiple considerations are made during the DSD process to ensure that any treatments to enhance the aesthetics of the patient’s smile and to increase comfort through greater alignment are agreeable to the patient’s expectations.
Factors such as facial symmetry, how speech will be affected, soft tissue symmetry, and dental and facial midline positions are all taken into account.
Ultimately, treatment does not begin until the patient and the dentist agree upon a treatment plan. This means that where the patient is not satisfied with the outcomes from the Digital Smile Design work, further high-tech imaging and 3D modelling can be undertaken so as to meet the expectations of the patient before a treatment plan is agreed.
In this respect, DSD serves to benefit the patient as any treatment that goes ahead will have been viewed (virtually) and agreed by the patient before work begins – DSD removes any ‘blind’ reliance on treatment to meet the patient’s expectations.
To learn more about Digital Smile Design or to book a consultation, contact our team today.
Curious what Digital Smile Design would show for you? You can book a cosmetic consultation online — thirty minutes with one of our dentists to look at your teeth and talk through the options and what they would cost (€80, as listed on our price list) — or call 01 636 0192.
