The Smile-Vision cosmetic imaging service allows dental offices to
take patient photographs quickly and easily and outsource them for cosmetic imaging. The plan
allows dental offices to offer simulated "before-and-after" visual case presentations to patients
on a routine basis. The service provides all necessary equipment - an industrial color SVHS
digital camera and a PC with the company's proprietary software installed. The company assists in
installing the unit in the office and trains staff members in its use.
Patients receive professional quality photographs in the mail of how they currently appear and as
they would appear after proposed cosmetic dentistry treatment. Interested patients consult the
dental office to fill in the details.
Following are step-by-step procedures for using the Smile-Vision cosmetic imaging service as
described by Drs. Lorin Berland and Lawrence E. Brooks.
Implementation
1. Place the equipment in a convenient location so staff members can
easily photograph all patients. It takes approximately one minute per patient. The digital
images are stored in the computer.
2. The doctor and staff meet periodically to select cases for
processing. All photographs may be printed, sent to diskette, or deleted from the system at
any time.
3. The doctor gives directions to a staff member for each photograph.
The directions can be a prescription or general instructions.
4. A staff member enters the instructions into the computer and
presses a button to electronically transmit the photographs and the embedded prescriptions to
the company's imaging lab, where the simulations are produced by a trained staff of dental
imaging technicians.
5. Completed printed cases are shipped to the dental office within
two days. Rush images are available in one hour when necessary.
6. The doctor reviews the prints, which are then sent out to the
patient's home with a low-key note.
7. All questions should be answered when patients show an interest
in enhancing their smiles. Delay a complete cosmetic exam, a wax-up, and more photographs
until the patient has expressed a desire to go forward.
Usage tips
1. To determine the patient's interest level in cosmetic dentistry,
show the patient how he appears and would appear with all possible cosmetic dentistry
options completed (Figures 1 and 2).
2. When there are questions about various options, the system can
create additional photographs showing the options (Figures 3 and 4).
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3. Measurement photographs may be created (Figures 5 and 6) to
help when producing a waxup or designing the case in the laboratory (Figure 7).
The company's protocol suggests input by the doctor and entire staff when: selecting cases for
cosmetic imaging; composing instructions to the imaging technician; and checking completed
imaged pictures before sending to patients.
Otherwise, a front-office staff member usually manages the process because the doctor, assistants,
and hygienists are usually too busy during treatment hours. The three steps can be completed in a
few minutes at regular staff meetings.
The photographs remain on the computer until reviewed by the doctor and staff to select
appropriate cases for imaging. Those not selected may be deleted, printed, or saved as JPG files
on a diskette.
It is important to get the staff involved at this stage. Assistants and hygienists can provide
valuable insight about the patient. Also, training the staff to diagnose potential candidates for
cosmetic and solution dentistry can be most valuable to the practice.
The before picture of this patient (Figure 8, below) calls attention to her present appearance.
Many people become accustomed to the way their teeth appear and don't see the situation in a
realistic light. They suffer from "smile denial."
Figure 9 (below) shows how she would appear if her teeth were whitened and improved, leaving the
gingival tissue unaltered.
Figure 10 (below) shows her the benefits of gingival recontouring plus cosmetic changes to the
teeth. It is up to her to evaluate the information and discuss the details with her dentist.
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Reprinted from Dental Products Report with permission of MEDEC Dental Communicatoins.
Copyright © 1999. A Medical Economics Company. Information provided by Smile-Vision
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