Not knowing what your new smile will look like is one of the main reasons patients hesitate before cosmetic dental treatment. The digital smile design process at Digismile Group Dental Clinic in Islington is built to remove that uncertainty. This guide explains how digital smile design works, from your first appointment through to treatment. You will know exactly what to expect at every stage.
Our complete guide to Digital Smile Design covers what it is and why it may be recommended. Here, we focus on the practical journey. We explain what happens at each appointment, who is involved, and how long it typically takes. We also compare it with more traditional planning methods.
Before Your First Digital Smile Design Appointment
Most patients are referred into the digital smile design process after an initial consultation. By this point, a dentist has usually confirmed that veneers, crowns, composite bonding, or a broader smile makeover may suit you. There is generally little preparation required beforehand. Your dentist may ask you to arrive with a clean, natural smile, so photographs and video can capture an accurate starting point.
It helps to think in advance about what you would like to change. This might be tooth shape, colour, spacing, or overall symmetry. Sharing this early gives your dentist a clearer sense of your goals. Bringing a photograph of a smile style you like can also help guide the conversation.
If you are not sure exactly what you want, that is perfectly normal. Many patients start the process with only a general sense that they would like a change. Your dentist can talk through common goals, such as brighter, straighter-looking, or more even teeth, and use this discussion to steer the digital design.
The Digital Smile Design Process, Step by Step
At Digismile Group, this process is broken into five stages. Each stage builds on the last. Nothing is finalised until you have reviewed and discussed it with your dentist.
Step 1: Photography and Video Capture
Your appointment typically begins with standardised photographs and a short video. You will be asked to talk and smile naturally. These images capture how your lips, gums, and teeth move together. This is essential for a design that looks natural rather than artificial. This stage involves no anaesthetic or dental work, and most patients find it straightforward.
Step 2: Digital Design and Facial Analysis
Using specialist software, your clinical team maps reference lines across your face. These include your midline and the horizontal plane of your eyes. Your teeth are then digitally reshaped against these references. Proposed changes in length, width, or symmetry are proportioned to your own features, not a generic template. This stage is usually carried out after your appointment, away from the dental chair.
Step 3: Reviewing Your Digital Preview
You are then shown the digital mock-up. Your dentist will talk you through it and answer any questions. This is a genuinely collaborative step. You can ask for a subtler or more noticeable change in tooth length, shape, or shade. Many patients find it helpful to compare two or three variations before deciding.
Step 4: Trial Smile
Once you are happy with the design, it can often become a physical trial smile. You can see and feel this directly in your own mouth. It gives a more tangible sense of the finished result than a screen preview alone. It can also help you decide between treatment options, such as veneers or composite bonding.
Step 5: Treatment Planning and Handover
With the design approved, your dentist uses it as the blueprint for treatment. This might involve porcelain veneers, full porcelain crowns, or composite bonding. Where a dental laboratory is involved, the same digital file is shared with them. Everyone then works from one agreed reference point, rather than a written description alone.
Who Is Involved in the Process?
Your dentist leads every stage, from consultation through to the final design. Depending on your case, a dental technician may also be involved. This is particularly likely where porcelain veneers or crowns are being planned, since a physical model may need to be produced.
You remain an active participant throughout, rather than a passive observer. Your feedback at the review stage directly shapes the final design. This is one of the main differences from more traditional planning methods.
Digital Smile Design vs a Traditional Wax-Up
Before digital planning became widely available, cosmetic treatment was mapped out differently. Dentists typically used a hand-sculpted wax model, known as a wax-up. The table below shows how the digital smile design process generally differs from that approach.
| Aspect | Digital Smile Design | Traditional Wax-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Records | Digital photography and video, mapped to facial proportions | Physical impressions and basic photographs |
| Preview Format | Photo-realistic digital mock-up, often followed by a trial smile | Hand-sculpted wax model on a plaster cast |
| Patient Involvement | You review the design on screen and can request changes | Limited visual input until the wax model is shown |
| Communication with Lab | Shared digital file used by dentist and laboratory alike | Physical model sent by post, harder to adjust quickly |
| Typical Visits Involved | One dedicated planning appointment, plus a review appointment | Often built into a single treatment appointment, with less separate review time |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The digital smile design process usually starts with one dedicated appointment. This covers photography, video, and consultation. From there, your digital design is usually ready to review within a few days. This depends on the complexity of your case and laboratory scheduling.
Once you approve the design, treatment planning can begin. The time this takes depends on which treatment you choose. Composite bonding may be completed in a single further visit. Porcelain veneers or crowns generally involve additional laboratory time between appointments. Your dentist will talk you through a realistic timeline at consultation.
If you request changes after seeing an early version of your trial smile, this can add a short amount of time to the planning stage. Most patients find this extra step worthwhile, since it means the finished result is closer to what they actually approved, rather than a surprise on the day of treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Digital Smile Design?
This approach tends to suit patients considering a significant cosmetic change. This might include multiple veneers, crowns, or a full smile makeover. It suits anyone who wants clarity on the likely outcome before committing to treatment. It can also help if you are simply exploring your options and want to see them visually.
As with any cosmetic dental treatment, suitability depends on the health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will assess this at your initial consultation. When researching any clinic, check that the dental team is registered with the General Dental Council. You can verify this free of charge via the GDC’s official online register.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at my first Digital Smile Design appointment?
Your first appointment usually starts with a consultation about your goals. This is followed by standardised photographs and a short video of your smile and speech. These records form the basis of your digital design.
How many appointments does the process usually involve?
Most patients need one appointment for photography and design capture. A review appointment follows, to discuss and approve the digital preview. Separate appointments then cover the treatment itself, once a plan is agreed.
Can I request changes once I see my digital preview?
Yes. Reviewing and adjusting the design with your dentist is a core part of the process. Nothing is finalised for treatment until you are satisfied with the proposed changes.
Does the process involve any discomfort?
The photography, video, and digital design stages involve no dental work or anaesthetic. Most patients find them straightforward. Any discomfort relates to the treatment stage that follows, such as veneer or crown preparation. Your dentist will discuss what to expect for your specific treatment.
What technology is used during the process?
Digismile Group uses standardised digital photography, video capture, and specialist smile design software. This maps your face and teeth in detail. It may be followed by a 3D printed or intra-oral trial smile.
How much does Digital Smile Design cost?
Cost depends on your individual case and the treatment used to achieve your design. Our guide to Digital Smile Design cost in London explains the main factors involved. A personalised quote is provided at consultation.
Can more than one treatment be planned within a single digital design?
Yes. Many designs combine treatments, such as veneers on some teeth and composite bonding on others. Your dentist plans this as one coordinated design, rather than treating each tooth in isolation.
Book Your Digital Smile Design Consultation
If you would like to see your new smile before committing to treatment, we can help. Our team in Islington will talk you through the digital smile design process from your first appointment onward. Visit our contact and location page to book a consultation.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a GDC-registered dental professional for any concerns or before making decisions related to your treatment. Your individual results and treatment needs may vary.
