Smile Design

Smile design has become one of the important treatment options in the aesthetic pursuit of patients, especially with the developments in digital dentistry and the aSmile design has become one of the essential treatment options in the aesthetic pursuit of patients, especially with the developments in digital dentistry and the adaptation of new technologies with classical information. The person’s unique smile is like a fingerprint; every person’s appearance and character differ. Creating a successful smile design according to the person’s character requires meticulous clinical and laboratory work. To design an aesthetic smile, tooth shapes and anatomical features of the teeth should be well known. The soft tissue surrounding the teeth should be analysed well, and the necessary procedures should be examined in detail. Finally, facial lines and reference points should be defined. The smile design, which starts with intraoral and portrait photos, continues with the help of a computer program until the best aesthetic smile is achieved and the patient’s approval is obtained. Digital measurements and intraoral scanners are technological developments that speed up the treatment process and reduce patients’ time sitting in the chair. The patient can see a simulation of the planned teeth in the pre-finalised version and change of appearance through the computer software. Afterwards, the created simulation is printed into a model with a 3-D printer and applied to the patient’s mouth. The design prepared in the virtual environment is ready for the evaluation of the patient and the physician. After the dentist and the patient approve this result, necessary procedures are performed in the patient’s mouth. In analogue smile design, measurements are taken with intraoral silicones when the patient arrives. A plaster model is prepared from the measurements taken by the technician. With the help of wax on the plaster model, how the teeth will look at the end of the treatment is determined (mock-up). In the second appointment, the measurement taken from the patient’s wax-shaped model is transferred to the patient’s mouth with temporary materials and reviewed with the patient, and additions and changes are made. Preparations are made on the patient’s teeth. The temporary material is transferred back into his/her mouth for use until the permanent restoration comes. At the next appointment, when the patient arrives, the permanent restorations are rehearsed, and then glazed restorations adhere to the patient’s mouth.