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32 cutting edge DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JANUARY-MARCH 2024

Smile Creator module presents

new and innovative features

Dr. Paul Schnitzspan, Director of Software Quality Assurance and Medical Software Development
at exocad, elaborates on the latest features of the Smile Creator module

Smile Creator from exocad is an innovative in-CAD smile FIG 1: With exocad's Smile Creator, the
design solution that makes esthetic smile makeovers more desired esthetics of the finished
predictable. With DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina, Smile Creator construction can be determined before
has acquired some new features: treatment begins. The virtual tooth
setup in the patient photo is directly
Freedom in the DentalCAD and Smile Creator adopted for the subsequent
restoration.
workflows: My personal favorite of the new features is
the ability to switch freely back and forth between
DentalCAD and the Smile Creator module. This means that
users can return from any workflow step in DentalCAD to
any position in Smile Creator. The tight integration of
DentalCAD and Smile Creator is absolutely robust. This FIG 2: With version 3.2 Elefsina, the
flexibility gives users complete freedom and dental techni- option of automatic tooth segmenta-
cians can design their workflow even more easily. tion has been added. Teeth and gums
are recognized and segmented on the
Automatic tooth segmentation: For me, this new fea- scan, for more design and visualiza-
ture is one of the highlights of DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina. tion possibilities.
Users of the Smile Creator module can also take advantage
of it. The software automatically recognizes the position of
the teeth in the 3D scan and can transfer this directly to
Smile Creator. The advantage: users can start designing the
new smile immediately, based on the current smile.
Automatic tooth segmentation is particularly interesting FIG 3: Thanks to tooth segmentation,
for cases where only minor modifications to individual the gingiva and adjacent teeth can
teeth are required. (Figure 2) also be visualized to obtain a uniform
image of the new setup in the
More natural visualization: Another advantage of patient's mouth. In the posterior
automatic tooth segmentation is visible in the visualization region, the natural shadow in the oral
area. As the gums are now also segmented, they can be cavity is simulated.
better visualized. This is particularly advantageous when
viewing patients with a high smile line, or “gummy smile”.
In addition, all teeth in a jaw are now recognized by the
software - regardless of whether they are to be worked on.
The rear tooth areas can be shaded so that the simulation
FIG 4: The three-dimensional scan is
of the esthetic smile makeover has a more vivid image
aligned with the two-dimensional
depth and looks much more natural. Patients can more
photo of the patient. The scan is visi-
easily imagine how they will look later with their new ble only as an outline, which facilitates
teeth. I am convinced that a more realistic preview helps perfect superimposition. Furthermore,
dentists to better communicate with their patients and the depth of field of the photo can be
increases patient acceptance of the treatment. (Figure 3) applied to the digital scan using a slid-
er control.
Improved alignment from 2D to 3D: Smile Creator
works with 2D/3D technology, which enables reliable
assessment of the prosthetic feasibility of the planned About the author
esthetic restoration as early as the planning phase. At the
start of planning, 2D images and 3D scans of the patient
are aligned in the software. At this point, a new tool
ensures a more natural visualization of the initial situation:
the camera angle ("field of view") can now be set when
assigning the 2D image to the 3D scan. The closer the tech-
nician was to the patient during photography, the higher
the "field of view" must be set. This allows the 2D image in
the software to be better aligned with the 3D scan.
(Figure 4)
Paul's practical tip: Light adjustment in Smile Dr. Paul Schnitzspan, Director of
Creator FIG 5: Using the "adjust light" tool, the light source follows the mouse Software Quality Assurance and
This tool can be used to change the light source in the pre- pointer, now displayed as a small light bulb. The incidence of light on Medical Software Development at
exocad. Paul's smile was created
view of the planned new teeth. Light and shadow can be the construction can be aligned identically to that of the photo, using exocad's Smile Creator
ensuring a more realistic spatiality of the planned restoration.
adjusted in the mouth area so that the simulation looks software.
much more natural. (Figure 5)