In daily life, a harmonious soft smile in social relations always provides a positive start and influencing those around you before they even speak. A positive change in your smile takes your self-confidence to the next level. Today, within the framework of the possibilities offered by social media, which has gained a great place in our lives, visuality has come to the fore, and the awareness of a beautiful smile has been established along with concepts such as beauty and aesthetics.

Dentistry was known for a long time with the treatment of decayed teeth and relief of pain in the mouth. Aesthetic procedures were not considered much due to lower expectations, insufficient material quality and expensiveness. However, over time, with the development of dental materials along with technology, concepts such as beauty and aesthetics, personalized smile design became one of the main areas of interest of dentistry.

Today, it is not enough to have a mouth free from biological and functional problems for dental patients. They want to have beautiful smiles that are integrated with their physical features but more compatible with their emotional aspects, and therefore dentistry has developed further to meet the demands and aesthetic expectations of today’s patients, thanks to the use of DSD.

Digital smile design is a multi-use conceptual tool that can strengthen diagnostic vision, improve communication, and increase predictability throughout treatment.

To keep up with the needs of the modern age, dentists need to go beyond the boundaries of traditional dentistry and acquire a range of artistic skills and visions to become “Smile Designers”.

In short, smile design is a treatment in which a personalized smile is planned and presented to the patient in a short time by blending medical knowledge with aesthetics and art. Everyone has the right to smile sincerely and beautifully in today’s world where possibilities are so developed.

The DSD concept was discovered in 2007 by a Brazilian Dentist/Dental Technician (Ceramicist) Mr. Christian Coachman and has evolved significantly over the years. Since its discovery, it has taken an important place in the future vision of Aesthetic Dentistry. Thousands of dentists / dental technicians around the world have developed themselves in this regard.

The beauty of this technique is that it does not require special equipment, software or large financial investments and that digital equipment already in a modern dental practice can be used for the Digital Smile Design process. The aesthetic-focused treatment planning role has now become established in various other dental specialties such as Implant dentistry, Periodontology, Orthodontics and Orthognathic surgery.

The whole concept is based on analyzing the patient’s facial and tooth proportions, using a series of digital videos and a series of high-quality digital photographs to obtain information on the relationship between teeth, gums, lips, smile, facial features in motion, and emotional state. Photographs and video shoots are made in the first session. Complaints and expectations are noted. After all this data is collected, the images are transferred to a computer, followed by image calibration using a digital ruler, and then the images are edited. The health status of teeth, gingiva and bone is also examined on radiographs. Then, gingival levels, design and treatment processes, which teeth should be covered, the relationship of the smile line with the lips are evaluated on the photographs, and the treatment plan is clarified. The redesign of the smile is performed using the presentation software.

After a final digital smile design has been customized using smile design principles and fulfilling the patient’s wishes, digital images can be shared with dental technicians, internet-using specialists in the form of PDF, keynote or power point files, and a treatment plan can also be presented. The redesigned smile is presented to the patient. After digital confirmation by the patient, the design created using the same calculated analyzes can be transferred to the patient’s mouth and aesthetically tested by means of a mock-up (temporary teeth) created by the dental technician. The patient’s opinion is taken about the smile, which is a copy of the newly created smile, which is checked with the patient in the mouth, and the design takes its final shape with minor retouching if necessary. This will enable the patient to experience a new aesthetic, functional and emotional new smile, have foresight about the new smile he will gain at the end of the treatment, and speed up the decision-making phase. The information of the new design, tested and approved by the patient and physician, is transferred back to the laboratory. Final restorations are produced in the laboratory within a few days and adhered to the patient’s mouth in the last session.

A beautiful smile cannot be achieved with white teeth alone. It is almost a visual feast where factors such as lips, gums, smile line and face form are compatible with each other as much as possible. Therefore, these factors are also taken into account when designing the smile, and it may even be necessary to make small touches to the lips or gums. It is essential to obtain a final image that complies with aesthetic criteria, but does not spoil the natural image, does not look artificial and is compatible with each other.

While the smile design is made in our clinic, the white aesthetics formed by the teeth and the pink aesthetics formed by the gums are evaluated according to certain criteria and the expectations of the patient.

All teeth to be restored are anesthetized before the procedure, so it is ensured that the patient does not feel pain during the preparation of the teeth. Few people experience a slight tingling. However, temporary restorations are prepared for our patients and the standard of living is maintained with temporary veneers until the treatment process is completed.

In order to achieve White aesthetics in smile design, procedures such as laminate veneer (leaf porcelain), full ceramic coating, bonding applications, and whitening applications can be performed.

In fact, if appropriate, the procedures can be continued without touching the teeth, with just the wire treatment process. Among these options, maximum aesthetics should be aimed with the least touch of the tooth. However, in line with this goal, it is beneficial not to get away from the natural image as much as possible. Instead of just white teeth, a more dynamic, natural whiteness satisfies us as well as the patient.

When determining the plan, it is necessary to examine the gums specially. Every person has a unique smile. In some, the gums are more visible or not symmetrical. The purpose of aesthetic applications is to find the best fit for the person within certain criteria. In cases where the gums look too much when smiling, are asymmetrical or the teeth are shorter than normal, it is necessary to intervene in the gums. In our clinic, painless and bleeding-free gingival leveling can be performed in a single session.

Although it may vary according to the situation of the case, it can take 2-4 sessions. In cases where gingival procedures are required, it may take longer for the smile to take its final form.

When designing a smile, there is no such thing as cutting or covering the teeth. Sometimes the smile can be rearranged with porcelain lamina, bonding or whitening and even wire treatment procedures.