New SNAP cosmetic simulation software the key to case acceptance

The old adage of a picture tells a thousand words aptly applies to SNAP Instant Dental Imaging software. Using this new tool, dentists can instantly create a simulation of the results expected from proposed dental treatment. Starting with a photo of the patient from any digital camera, SNAP will simulate anything from a single tooth restoration to a full mouth reconstruction.

"SNAP is designed to increase patient acceptance of cosmetic and aesthetic dental treatment by creating a simulation of the final results," said Mr Leslie Schneider, managing director of Australian Dental Supplies Pty Ltd, the local distributors for the software package. "Unlike most patient education tools currently available, the big advantage of SNAP is that it shows the patient what they will look like, rather than using a generic image to demonstrate treatment.

"Being able to show a before and simulated after shot of the actual patient prior to treatment being accepted helps them easily visualise how their smile will change. This effectively takes the emphasis away from the dentist to have to 'sell' the treatment as the patient can immediately see the potential and they instead ask for it. It also aids in the process of informed consent."

The success of SNAP Instant Dental Imaging is the speed and simplicity at which it can create simulations. A competent user can complete a simulation in less than a minute.

The first step is to take a digital photograph of the patient and load it into SNAP. Using your mouse, you click around the area you intend restoring so that SNAP identifies the area of the mouth to simulate. This may be a single tooth or the whole mouth.

The user then selects various options to indicate the treatment to be simulated and then the restorations are chosen from a comprehensive library included in the software. The library contains an array of smiles with teeth of different shapes and sizes that can be used in unison to simulate, for example, a complete set of veneers or individually to simulate, say, a crown.

"SNAP Instant Dental Imaging has been designed with dentists in mind," Mr Schneider said. "Ease-of-use is obviously paramount as is the ability to realistically portray the gamut of cosmetic dental procedures.

"SNAP will instantly simulate crowns, veneers, bridges, implants, whitening, perio, fillings and much more. Once you see a demonstration of how easy to use and powerful the software is, you will want it for your practice."

Mr Schneider stressed that while SNAP is a very powerful means of demonstrating treatment outcomes, it should only be used to simulate actual planned treatment based on a thorough examination of the patient including radiographs to ensure that any simulation is achievable clinically.