New SNAP software proves to be a serious tool for cosmetic dentists

Sydney dentist Dr Paul Shouha has recently started using the latest SNAP Instant Cosmetic Dental Imaging Software to complement his treatment planning and presentation.

"I've been using SNAP for 4 months and generally speaking, it is excellent," Dr Shouha said. "It's a serious tool for any dentist focussed on cosmetic work and if you don't have tools like these, I don't believe you will be taken seriously.

"In the type of work I do, there is no way I could feel I had all the tools I required without some form of software to help educate patients. There are similar products to SNAP on the market, but I found it to be the most user friendly.

"I use SNAP to simulate the results of laser crown lengthening, bleaching, veneers and large restorative cases; essentially in any case where I need to give the patient options. I don't use SNAP on every single patient, that's not the sytle of practice I have, but if people see aesthetics as an issue, then this is a way to show them very accurately how they will look after treatment.

Dr Shouha said that to use SNAP, he takes a smile shot of a patient with a digital camera fitted with a macro lens, then downloads it into the Windows Photo File. From there it is imported into SNAP. Once the photo is loaded into SNAP, he said it takes him 3 to 4 minutes to get a "pretty decent result".

"SNAP is a good adjunct to diagnosis to and treatment planning and has been a good investment. There is a learning curve to mastering its use, but once you get there, it's excellent.

"Patients also love it," he said. "and for patients that need it, it helps them make a decision on whether or not to proceed with treatment. From that perspective, it's been a great tool and often results in a decision to proceed."

SNAP allows dentists to select from 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 will also simulate bridges, implants, whitening, perio, fillings and much more.