Digital Smile, what is that…?
In this digital age where children are not born until they are given a mobile phone in their hands, people are so occupied with their busy lives that no one seems to have the time for a healthy chat or a friendly smile that can make someone’s day.
It’s only normal for people to forget to take care of their teeth at this point, as such, people have increasingly found the need for some kind of miracle that can make them smile again.
DSD or (Digital-Smile-Design)
Is a dental procedure for restoring teeth, which is a digital redesign of a patient’s smile by the study of the structural nature of the lips, teeth, and gums of the patient in order to plan a treatment virtually.
One of the greatest advantages of this new technology is that it does not require special medical equipment, because digital photographs that are taken are accurate and in high resolution, the dentist can study the case and plan their treatment virtually by using a visual 3D representation of the patient’s teeth.
The Doctor can transform your smile design into a 3D-Design to create a blueprint of your smile, and can easily 3D-Print a mock-up design of your smile and share your design with the lab using the inbuilt teamwork option in the DSD software, providing access to the case files and smile design to proceed with the manufacturing of final restorations.
This technique was originally developed in response to a wealthy patient’s demand for aesthetic expectations that were much more demanding than the older techniques could produce, as they wanted to see what the result of their treatment would look like, before even starting it.
The dentist who practices the “DSD” therefore, is no simple dental specialist, but a “Smile Designer” who is an expert at digitally replicating a patient’s smile.
What is the procedure for DSD…?
- To begin the doctor takes accurate high-resolution digital photographs of your teeth, which may help him determine the teeth that need to be replaced
- Your dental data is then imported into the DSD software, and then the doctor will look at a library of different types of fake teeth that can be placed on top of your faulty teeth in the high-res images that he had taken previously.
- These images help the doctors in the lab create a more realistic model, which may include your facial aesthetics and other important aspects that may affect your smile.
- You will be heavily involved in the process from start to finish. It’s important for you to communicate your wants and needs to your doctor. You’ll also have the chance to pick and approve the 3D mock-up images of what your smile will look like after the treatment is complete.
- The doctor may even be able to place parts of the model in your mouth temporarily giving you a better idea of what your teeth will look like when you speak and smile.
- Once you’ve approved, the doctor will begin the restoration process.
- This can involve keeping the mock-up model in your mouth as a preparation guide. Any fragments or damaged teeth will be removed, and restored teeth will be placed as implants or veneers.
- The doctor will then restore each tooth before moving on to the next, finishing the treatment with a final polishing to help your teeth look shiny and clean.
How is it different from other similar procedures…?
- While there may be other dental procedures that may use certain aspects of digital imaging software, not all of them have access to a complete solution like DSD.
- Thus, they cannot predict as to how a smile may turn out, and the dentist would not be able to tell you precisely what your smile would look like after the procedure,
- DSD helps to clarify any unanswered questions that might have raised from older methods, DSD allows the doctors to recreate your smile with customized prostheses that may be unique to your dental needs or your dental structure.
“Digital smiles make happier lives”
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