Australasian Dentist Magazine March April 2021

94 Australasian Dentist LABS T he latest smile design technology is making personalised cosmetic dentistry possible for all dental clinics It has been tough for small dental clinics to compete with large practices in the cosmetic dentistry space. But the latest digital smile design technology is changing the game, allowing smaller practices to offer high-margin cosmetic dental procedures. And the good news is demand is increasing. With today’s digital technology, even the smallest dental business can now become a high-tech cosmetic clinic — and stop losing patients to larger practices. Digital smile design enables small practices to offer their patients the latest techniques and achieve personalised patient outcomes as good as — or better than — the larger players. Personalisation is a key benefit of digital smile design. In the age of social media, and at a time when people are investing more in their appearance than ever before, patients are becoming more specific about their cosmetic goals. “For many patients, cosmetic dentistry is no longer about achieving the perfect smile,” says Kylie Harris, Operations Manager at Avant Dental Leaders. “Rather, patients are getting more specific about the smile that is perfect for them. “That’s why personalisation is so important. The clearer you are on the patient’s specific goals, the better the end product will be.” Partnering with a good digital dental lab is essential in helping you deliver those personalised cosmetic outcomes to your patients. It’s a bespoke approach to dentistry that can transform even the most basic practice into an exclusive cosmetic clinic. This is good news for dental practices with an eye on Australia’s growing cosmetic dentistry market. Dr Katrina Zhao, principal dentist at Midas Dental, is using Avant Dental’s digital smile design service at her Macquarie Park clinic in Sydney. “Avant Smile Design has been a great partnership for my business,” she says. “In the digital age, patients are expecting a more technological approach,” she says. “We’re able to show them we’re using the most advanced technology to create the most advanced results.” The Perfect Smile: Generate new revenue with cosmetic dentistry Dr Zhao says Avant’s digital workflow saves her clinical time, while also giving her patients a clearer vision — and more control — of the outcome. “Smile design would take a lot longer if I was to do a composite mock-up in the chair. I would need time to build it up on the patient’s teeth and show them what their new smile would look like. It’s easier for the lab to make a mock-up using digital smile design and then give me a putty key I can use with the patient. “The digital process with Avant Smile Design also allows the patient to have a greater contribution. For example, we can send reference images to the lab of what the patient would like, and they can replicate that through digital design. The patient can then tell us where they want to make a change, and we can achieve a very specific outcome.” Dr Zhao says that both herself, and her patients, have confidence in cosmetic dentistry with the Avant Smile Design process. Ian Feigen, Technical Director at Avant Dental, breaks down the Avant Smile Design process into five simple steps. Step 1: Pre-planning The dentist discusses shapes, contours and proportions with the patient, and determines what they would like to improve on aesthetically. Then either impressions or a digital scan is taken, along with photographs of the patient’s current situation. Step 2: Design proposal Avant reviews the outcome of the patient consultation and produces a design proposal that details what we can achieve for the patient. We’ll identify the case type and recommend the most suitable materials we believe will achieve the best outcome. We’ll also create a computer generated design proposal that gives the dentist and the patient a visual representation of our proposal. Step 3: Design approval The dentist and patient review our proposal. You can share screen shots of the computer generated design with the patient, or you can remotely access the design via our online platform and make on-the-spot alterations with assistance from one of our experienced technicians in real time. Step 4: 3D model trial Once the computer generated design is approved, we print a 3D model of the design and produce either a suck-down template or a putty key (depending on the dentist’s preference) that the patient can place over their existing teeth as a temporary trial. After a period wearing the model, the patient might choose to make further alterations or go ahead with the treatment. Step 5: Treatment begins With the patient’s approval, we manufacture and colour-match the required veneers, crowns, bridges and implants to the exact specifications in the design proposal. The dentist then begins treatment and the digital smile design process is complete. Avant Smile Design is making it easier than ever for all dentists to access high-end cosmetic dentistry and deliver individualised outcomes that will delight your patients. u Avant Dental can help you bring the latest in smile design to your patients. Call 1800 287 336 or visit www.avantdental.com.au for expert advice.