What is digital smile design?
Quick answer
What is digital smile design?
Digital smile design uses photos, video and a 3D scan of your teeth to plan a new smile on screen before any treatment starts.
You can see the proposed shape, length and alignment of your teeth, and often try a temporary mock-up in your mouth. At York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet it is used to plan bonding, veneers and Invisalign smile makeovers, and is included in our smile design packages.
What you need to know
The design is based on your face, lips and gum line, not a standard template, so the result suits you rather than looking like a generic “Hollywood” smile. It also helps you and your dentist agree exactly what you want before anything irreversible is done.
A mock-up — tooth-coloured material placed temporarily over your teeth — lets you see and feel the new shape in real life. You can show family, take photos and ask for changes.
Planning digitally often shows that less treatment is needed than expected, for example straightening with Invisalign first so fewer teeth need veneers. See smile design packages and smile makeovers.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
