The Pros and Cons of Digital Smile Design
(Part 4)
Digital Photography and Video: Digital photography on the caliber and intuitiveness as modern cellphone cameras and beyond allow dentists to extensively capture detailed images of the patient’s face and mouth.
These serve as visual records of what they’re about to alter or fix, like in the case of orthodontic devices shifting the placement of teeth inside the mouth.
The digital pictures and videos also allow them to visually plan the treatment and communicate what they’re about to do to the patient in clear and certain terms. Digital photography also allows better treatment of documentation.
This is also important in orthodontics because the shifting of teeth positions to get rid of malocclusions and whatnot require constant monitoring to see if it’s working or not.
Maybe the clear aligners or self-ligating braces don’t have strong enough pull to correct teeth placement, thus calling for the much stronger corrective braces.
Patient Experience with Digital Smile Design
If the extra expense of the DSD isn’t satisfying the patient, then it’s a superfluous expense and jumping straight into treatment with traditional plan and estimations are called for.
DSD’s patient experience is indeed a critical aspect of its development. Effective DSD is supposed to enhance the patient experience in the following ways.
Enhanced Communication: DSD visualizes plans and results, so it thus improves communication between the patient and dentist. Everyone is on the same page and patients aren’t left in the dark.
Patients can also propose changes, provide feedback, and ensure that their smile preferences and concerns are acknowledged by their dental doctor. It’s a collaborative approach that promotes trust.
Increased Confidence: Speaking of confidence, dentists have more confidence in doing even complicated operations like wisdom teeth removal or implant surgery with the DSD’s ability to scan and visualize the results.
Even before the treatment starts, everything is laid out and planned. There’s no improvisation or correction. Everything is done in one fell swoop thanks to all the previous corrections done, resulting in the smile you want.
Customized Treatment: Treatment customization is easier to do because DSD visualization allows dentists to know the best course of action relative to the patient’s dental state and biology. It’s a high-precision level of personalization.
The final result of DSD-assisted procedures is what you expect without any exaggerations or disappointments because the DSD tech ensures more control and risk mitigation and achievable aesthetic goals.
Comfort and Convenience: The digital tools make the treatment process more comfortable as opposed to just being tolerable. Healing is also faster because nerve damage and unintentional complications are mitigated with careful planning.
DSD basically reduces the need for multiple molds or impressions and physical models. The milled crowns, bridges, and dentures don’t need extra shaving or drilling if the fit is bad because DSD precision ensures millimeter-precise fitment.