By Digital Smile Design
⋅ min read
⋅ 14 Oct 2022
A common misconception among those who are new to DSD is that DSD is an app.
In reality, there is no need to use a smile simulation app to work with DSD and the DSD Planning Center.
Why don’t you need a smile simulation app?
Smile simulation pictures used in the DSD App are done by a doctor in 2D. Afterwards, the 2D images are added to the 3D planning that is performed or generated by the DSD Planning Center team. The use of a smile simulation app is not mandatory and is not essential to work with the DSD Planning Center.
What do you need to work with the DSD Planning Center?
The important planning is that which is carried out in 3D software. This is where we have all the information we need and the ability to study the patient’s face and the case from all disciplines. The tools that are necessary to work with the DSD Planning Center are: good pictures and video, STL scans and x-rays. Following the DSD documentation protocol is an easy way to make sure that you are providing all the necessary files for your patient cases.
DSD documentation protocol
The DSD documentation protocol sets out the files required by the DSD Planning Center in order to plan your patient cases.
It includes:
Frontal picture smiling
Frontal picture at rest
Profile picture smiling
Profile picture at rest
Frontal 12 o’ clock picture
Patient video
STL models in occlusion
Below, we explain some of the most important considerations to take into account when taking your patient photos.
Frontal picture smiling
1 meter away from the patient (to prevent distortion).
Camera at the patient’s eye level.
Phone/camera straight (tripod devices help).
Make sure that you can see the same amount of both ears to ensure that the face is not rotated horizontally.
Make sure the patient does not lift their chin up or down when smiling (very common!).
Make sure the incisal edges are not covered by the lower lip.
Maximum smile with the arches at least slightly separated.
Patient should be looking at the camera.
Make sure you put the focus on the patient’s mouth, this way it will be the sharpest area of the picture.
Frontal picture at rest
1 meter away from the patient (to prevent distortion).
Camera at the patient’s eye level.
Phone/camera straight (tripod devices help).
Make sure that you can see the same amount of both ears to ensure that the face is not rotated horizontally.
Make sure the patient does not lift their chin up or down.
Ask the patient to make a prolonged ‘m’ sound with ‘lazy’ lips to get the best position.
Some patients will struggle to get this position correct. You can record avideo of them making this sound and then take a screenshot.
Patient should be looking at the camera.
Make sure you put the focus on the patient’s mouth, this way it will be thesharpest area of the picture.
Profile picture smiling
1 meter away from the patient (to prevent distortion).
Camera at the patient’s eye level.
Phone/camera straight (tripod devices help).
Right profile (always!).
Patient should be looking at the horizon.
Make sure the patient does not lift their chin up or down when smiling (very common!).
Make sure the incisal edges are not covered by the lower lip.
Maximum smile with the arches at least slightly separated.
Make sure you put the focus on the patient’s mouth, this way it will be the sharpest area of the picture.
Profile picture at rest
1 meter away from the patient (to prevent distortion).
Camera at the patient’s eye level.
Phone/camera straight (tripod devices help).
Right profile (always!).
Patient should be looking at the horizon.
Make sure the patient does not lift their chin up or down.
Ask the patient to make a prolonged ‘m’ sound with ‘lazy’ lips to get the best position.
Some patients will struggle to get this position correct. You can record a video of them making this sound and then take a screenshot.
Make sure you put the focus on the patient’s mouth, this way it will be the sharpest area of the picture.
Frontal 12 o’clock picture
Camera: take this photo with the patient lying down in the dental chair and youstanding behind.
Phone: take this photo with the patient sitting on a chair or standing. Ask the patient to place their chin near their chest.
The patient should be looking at the camera.
Make sure that you can see the same amount of both ears to ensure that the face is not rotated horizontally.
Maximum smile.
Make sure the incisal edges are not covered by the lower lip.
If the patient has wear, short teeth or long lip and incisal edges are not shown:ask the patient to lift their lip with their fingers in the smile direction until you are able to see tooth structure.
At least the incisal edges from canine to canine should be shown.
How do we know when we have a good 12 o’clock position? The tip of the nose should be at the beginning of the upper lip in this view and not cover the teeth.
Make sure you put the focus on the patient’s mouth, this way it will be the sharpest area of the picture.
DSD Photo & Video Protocol
Repeat the whole protocol in case you need to take some screenshots of any of the positions. This is also important to evaluate dynamics, function and esthetics.
Make sure you record a short interview of the patient talking about their wishes and expectations.
Always ask positive questions! (What do you like about your smile? What makes a beautiful smile for you?)
STL models in occlusion
Make sure you do a good quality scan of all tooth structure and as much soft tissue as possible. Make sure the occlusion is the right one before you scan.
When you are scanning the upper, it’s also important to scan the palatal area in order to be able to work with the files.
Master the DSD Protocol
Download our DSD Photo and Video Protocol now to keep these useful tips and tricks to hand when documenting your patients.
