How cosmetic dentists illustrate proposed smile makeovers.
Cosmetic dentists can use dental imaging software to simulate the results of proposed smile makeovers.
If you've seen Animated-Teeth.com's cosmetic dentistry smile makeover pictures you already know what smile makeover simulations are. This process involves the use of computer software that allows the individual dots (pixels) of which a digital picture is composed to be edited. Essentially any type of proposed cosmetic change can be simulated, depending on the capabilities of the imaging software and the talents of the dentist using it.
Many times it is not just the cosmetic dentist but also members of their staff that are capable of operating the software and creating smile makeover simulations. If the time and personnel needed to create a simulation are available, it can be possible that a dental patient will be able to see their proposed smile makeover on the same day as their initial consultation with the dentist. It is common place that the patient is given a printed copy of the proposed smile makeover so they can take the picture home and get feed back from their friends and family.
If the smile makeover simulation seems too perfect ask the dentist ...
Some types of dental imaging software create makeovers by digitally "pasting" one of several standardized stock smiles into place on a patient's picture (in comparison to photo imaging where each tooth has been individually retouched and edited in realistic fashion).
While visualizing an image of a pasted model-perfect smile can be pleasing, it may or may not have much to do with what is precisely possible for you. If the simulated smile your dentist shows you just seems too perfect, ask them how accurately their smile makeover simulation is intended to mimic the precise cosmetic changes they have proposed for you.
Cosmetic dentists often show before-and-after pictures of other dental patients who have had similar cosmetic dentistry concerns.
Before smile makeover software became available cosmetic dentists often demonstrated aspects of proposed dental treatment plans by showing a person before-and-after pictures of actual smile makeovers completed for other patients. While each and every person will have their own unique set of circumstances, some types of cosmetic deficiencies can be generalized. The manner in which a cosmetic dentist remedies a defect for one person is often similar in nature to the way they can resolve it for another.
Your dentist may show you pictures from a specialty publication (such as a book or dental journal) that shows before-and-after results of smile makeovers. Many cosmetic dentists take great pride in their smile makeovers and, so to share their results with colleagues and patients alike, have mastered the art of dental photography. These dentists may have their smile makeover pictures organized into a photo album or slide show, posted on an online picture gallery, or framed and placed on the walls of their office as a "cosmetic dentistry hall of fame."
Of course even though the presentation of before-and-after makeover photos of other dental patients can be interesting and enlightening this communication technique does have the obvious draw back that the image you see is not your face and smile but someone else's. And while it's informative to know that your dentist anticipates that a certain cosmetic procedure is suitable for your situation, it would be more revealing to see how the technique would be applied to your own smile.
A sad note about some cosmetic dentists.
Here's a story that is somewhat amusing, if not just sad. Some years ago there was a prominent speaker on the dental lecture circuit who, as a part of their line of products, sold a series of photographic slides showing before-and-after pictures of smile makeovers. It was the lecturer's belief that when dental patients were shown the types of smile transformations demonstrated in his slides that acceptance of a dentist's proposed treatment plan (most any dentist, most any treatment plan) usually followed.
A cosmetic dentist will sometimes illustrate smile makeover changes using dental study models.
Another demonstration technique that cosmetic dentists sometimes utilize when discussing proposed changes for a person's smile involves the use of dental "study models." When this technique is employed the dentist will first take dental impressions of the patient's teeth. After the patient has left the dental office this impression is filled with plaster and then left undisturbed until the plaster has hardened. Once the plaster has set the resulting dental cast provides the dentist with an accurate copy of the patient's teeth and surrounding gum tissue.
The cosmetic dentist then perfects the appearance of the teeth found on the cast either by trimming away plaster or else by bulking the plaster teeth up with white dental wax. The overall result is a simulation of the type of cosmetic changes that the dentist thinks are needed to perfect the person's smile. When the patient returns for their next consultation appointment they can physically hold and evaluate the transformed dental models. Depending on the dentist's policy, they may be able to take the makeover plaster casts home to show friends and family.
More about cosmetic dentists demonstrating smile makeover changes using dental study models.
We would like to mention that there are times when cosmetic dentistry procedures (such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding) are used as a substitute for orthodontic treatment. These are cases where the teeth being made over have an irregular alignment.
Sometimes, as a means to create the illusion of teeth being straight and perfect, the thickness of one tooth (or even several teeth) must be increased, sometimes fairly substantially. The use of dental study models is excellent way for a cosmetic dentist to demonstrate these changes.
When study models are used the patient can see, from all sides, precisely how the proposed cosmetic alterations will need to be. The patient may find that the resulting tooth thickness is greater that they anticipated and not something they desire.
Cosmetic dentists sometimes create temporary "in the mouth" makeover mock-ups using dental bonding.
Dental bonding material can establish an incredibly strong and durable bond with a tooth's surface, but only if applied under the proper conditions. It is possible for a dentist to apply bonding to teeth and then remove it easily afterwards, if no dental bonding adhesive is used. This implies that for some types of cosmetic dental treatments a dentist could use dental bonding material to temporarily mock up, directly on a person's teeth, the exact types of smile changes they propose.
Once the dental bonding mock-up is in place the patient can look in a mirror and see, first hand, how the proposed cosmetic changes will look. They will also be able to feel the shape of the changes with their fingers, tongue, and lips. The dentist might offer to take a picture of the person's mocked-up smile so they can take it home with them and get the opinion of friends and family members. After the picture has been taken the dentist can remove the dental bonding material from the patient's teeth, no harm done.
There are some types of changes that a cosmetic dentist would not be able to mimic when creating a dental bonding mock-up. The dentist can only simulate situations where the final tooth shape will be greater in size (like when closing spaces between teeth). Dental treatments where the end size or shape of the tooth will be reduced cannot be simulated by this technique.
More about cosmetic dentists creating "in the mouth" smile makeover mock-ups.
You will find that cosmetic dentists utilize this type of smile makeover simulation less frequently than the other types we have discussed. This is because from a standpoint of cost (as measured in terms of a dentist's labor and cost of materials) this is a very expensive type of simulation to provide.
