Digital Smile Design
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Are you considering cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of your smile? Interested in knowing what your smile may look like before you take the plunge?
At Boutique for Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand the important role your smile plays in your daily life and are proud to be one of the few offices in the Atlanta area to offer digital smile design.
Be The Co-Author of Your Smile
Digital Smile Design is an innovative dental treatment planning tool that allows your dentist to plan your cosmetic dentistry treatment carefully, show you their vision, and predict treatment success. 3D images are taken of your entire smile prior to being uploaded into special design software.
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From there, our dentists in Atlanta, GA can use various tools to modify your smile, showing you exactly what it could look like if you undergo treatment. Through physical mock-ups that you can try on, photographs, and videos, digital smile design allows you to get a better idea of your new smile.
The Digital Smile Design Process
The entire process for Digital Smile Design is actually quite simple. Our dental office in Atlanta, GA will first take 3D photos and videos of your entire mouth utilizing intraoral scanners. The data is then imported into our design software. Once imported, we are then able to modify and perfect the appearance of your smile. We will also take a series of photographs and videos of you talking, smiling, and laughing to assist us in our design.
With our guidance, you will be the co-author of your smile! We invite you to be involved in the smile design process.
If you are interested in learning more, simply schedule a consultation with our team.
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How does Digital Smile Design work?
Digital Smile Design uses six steps to get you to your desired smile:
- Treatment begins with the dentist capturing digital photographs of your teeth and smile as you are now.
- A video is then taken of you smiling and talking to show how your smile and speech affects the appearance of your teeth. Seeing yourself from this new angle will help you to decide on the right results.
- Smile design analysis is then carried out with the end product in mind. Different solutions from dentistry will be combined to determine the best cosmetic journey to get your desired smile, and ceramists, dental technicians and specialists will all advise on the treatments that can get you there.
- You will then be shown how your final smile will look and mockups will be made to show you the final outcome. You can then make any final tweaks to elements such as tooth length or color and shape.
- The final design is then completed and agreed and costs and duration are calculated to ensure you are happy to proceed. You will then be provided with all of the relevant information you need to know about the pending treatments.
- After treatment, you can enjoy predictable results and will be able to enjoy the smile that you chose in the planning stage.
frequently asked questions
How long do veneers last?
Porcelain veneers last 10-15 years on average but the lifespan has many factors, such as oral hygiene, lifestyle, quality of material, and maintenance.
Are veneers painful?
No, the process of preparing the teeth for veneers usually required an anesthetic shot to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue so that the process is more comfortable.
Can I whiten my veneers?
Veneers cannot be whitened; they are usually a ceramic material where the shade stays the same for their lifespan.
Are veneers expensive?
The cost varies depending on the number of veneers needed, the type of veneer or any additional procedures required for the process. Generally, porcelain veneers can range from $1500-$2500 per tooth.
Do I need to replace porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers do need to be replaced after their lifespan.
How do porcelain veneers adhere to the natural teeth?
Veneers are bonded to the outer portion of the natural tooth, ideally the enamel with dental bonding protocols that are very strong.
What are the different types of veneers?
There are porcelain and composite veneers. Porcelain veneers last longer and are more of an investment.
Can I pick the color or my veneers?
The color of veneers is typically matched to the other color of the natural teeth to make the most natural look.
How many veneers do I need?
This varies by what the goals of the treatment are. It can be anywhere from 1-14 but typically 2,4, or 8-10 veneers are used for the best outcome.
Do my natural teeth have to be shaved down for veneers?
The preparation of the teeth for veneers is very minimal. The goal is to prepare as little of the tooth as possible to stay in the outer enamel of the tooth.
How long does the process take?
The process is usually 3 appointments, the first being a record gathering including photos, impressions, discussions. The second is the preparation day where the teeth are prepared for the veneers. The third is the final veneer delivery day. This all takes about 6 weeks.
Are veneers permanent?
Porcelain veneers are permanent, but they have a lifespan and eventually need to be replaced. The patient or the dentist can take the veneers on and off without cutting them off.
Am I a good candidate for veneers?
To see if a patient is a good candidate for veneers, an in-person assessment must be complete with an exam, photos, and a personalized discussion to go over the patient’s goals.
Will my veneers look natural?
The goal of veneers is to match the existing teeth and have a natural tooth appearance.
frequently asked questions
How does teeth whitening work?
A bleaching agent is applied directly to your teeth for in office whitening or in a tray for at home whitening. This agent usually contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break down and remove the stains.
What is the best solution to whiten teeth?
A take home carbamide peroxide gel that is used in custom trays is the best way to whiten teeth.
How long does in-office teeth whitening take?
In office whitening using opalescence BOOST is 3 rounds of 20 minutes with a total of 1 hour
Should I get a dental cleaning before or after teeth whitening?
A dental cleaning should be done before teeth whitening.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
Teeth whitening should not hurt, but it does sometimes cause some sensitivity that is not permanent.
Will teeth whitening damage my enamel?
Teeth whitening does not damage enamel.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Teeth whitening costs vary by office but can range from 500-750 depending on the treatment.
Do I have to do anything special after teeth whitening?
Post operative instructions after teeth whitening include not drinking any liquids that can stain a white t-shirt for a few days and it is sometimes advised to use sensitivity toothpaste following teeth whitening
Will teeth whitening work on crowns and bridges?
Teeth whitening does not work on crowns or bridges, only natural teeth.
How do I make a teeth whitening appointment?
Call the dental office to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening, as long as a dental cleaning has been completed in the last 6 months.
frequently asked questions
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a type of clear aligners used for orthodontics.
Do I need to wear Invisalign all day every day?
Invisalign clear aligners are instructed to be worn 22 hours per day and only taken out to eat.
Traditional braces vs. Invisalign
Traditional braces have bands and wires while Invisalign has invisible attachments to the teeth with clear trays.
How long does Invisalign take to work?
The treatment time for Invisalign varies by complexity of the case but can take anywhere from 2 months - a year on average for simple cases.
How much does Invisalign cost? Are there payment plans?
Invisalign costs 5000$ this includes all of the appointments along the way, any x rays, the whitening for the duration of the Invisalign as well as the retainers at the end of treatment.
How long do I need to wear each tray for?
Each tray is worn for about a week unless described otherwise by your doctor.
frequently asked questions
What is Digital Smile Design?
Digital Smile Design, or DSD, is planning a patient's smile makeover digitally. It combines principles of esthetics, facial analysis, and computer technology to create a customized treatment plan that can be visually communicated with the patient.
Can any dentist provide digital smile design?
Not every dentist can provide digital smile design, or DSD. Dentists trained with digital smile design techniques are best for providing digital smile design.
How should I prepare for the first digital smile design consultation?
Come prepared with your goals and expectations for the dentist and a face ready for some photos!
What if I don’t like the way my teeth look like in the mock-up?
The mockup is used to gather information on where we could possibly go with your teeth, it is not the final teeth. So, the mockup is used to guide the patient and the dentist to formulate a good end result. Changes can be made, and this is the time to make changes before anything permanent is done.
frequently asked questions
Who is a candidate for dental bonding?
Good candidates are patients with good oral hygiene, cracked or chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, discolored or irregularly shaped teeth.
What dental issues can dental bonding fix?
Dental bonding is commonly used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps between teeth, improve the appearance of discolored teeth, or alter the shape and size of teeth.
Is Dental bonding permanent?
Yes; however, it's important to note that dental bonding may not be as durable or long-lasting as other options like porcelain veneers or crowns, and it may require periodic maintenance or replacement over time.
What is the process of dental bonding?
Preparation of the tooth structure, if any, bonding material application, shaping and molding, bonding, curing, and finishing touches - this can be done in one visit.
Can dental bonding make my teeth look longer?
Yes, dental bonding can change the shape or shade of teeth, this includes the length.