A full facial scanner that enhances diagnosis and treatment planning while engaging and educating patients
"[MetiSmile] is easy to use and easy to implement."
Danny Domingue, DDS
Lafayette, LA
"It connects to the intraoral scanner and makes the digital workflow efficient."
Jianjun Hao, DDS
Aurora, IL
"It is an excellent, accurate product at an affordable price."
Lee Culp, CDT
Apex, NC
A patient’s smile involves more than just their teeth. The shape of the mouth, the jawline, and the distance between the mouth, nose, and eyes all play a role in the face a patient presents to the world. All of these elements factor into how a patient understands dental treatment plan goals and envisions their future smile. Each of these facial features also plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Combining intraoral data with information related to facial details and measurements can support patient engagement and aid clinicians in their development of a successful treatment plan, and that’s exactly why Dr. Mark Kleive uses the MetiSmile facial scanner from SHINING 3D.
Hoping to “more clearly communicate with patients the benefit of an esthetic treatment plan,” Dr. Kleive discovered that MetiSmile’s technology could help him achieve that goal. “MetiSmile has given us the ability to preview esthetic treatment with a patient in full 3D view,” he said.
Lee Culp, CDT, wanted to “more accurately and predictably create digital diagnostic, surgical, and restorative plans.” After trying MetiSmile, he said that problem was solved by “adding the patient’s 3D face to align with intraoral and CT scans.”
Another clinician described “canted denture setups, smile design for full-arch implant restorations, and immediate denture smile design” as top-of-mind challenges that were solved by MetiSmile. He is now able to “frame all restorations with a 3D face and plane and reference” using MetiSmile’s technology.
Ease of Use and Integration
SHINING 3D designed MetiSmile, with its innovative software, to enable dentists to quickly capture facial information and create a 3D model for use in diagnosis and treatment planning. The technology can be used for a variety of applications, including maxillofacial surgery, implants and prostheses, orthodontics, and esthetic dentistry.
In 3 simple steps— capturing intraoral data with a digital scanner, capturing facial data with MetiSmile, and importing intraoral data to MetiSmile for auto-alignment—dentists create a 3D image that displays both facial and intraoral information critical for a comprehensive digital smile design. For orthodontic simulation, for example, MetiSmile’s features include automatic lip extraction and 1-click tooth segmentation. The software can measure the distance of facial data and compare changes before and after treatment, which aids in diagnosis and treatment evaluation and also improves patient satisfaction. Mandibular trajectory tracking allows clinicans to acquire detailed occlusion data for more accurate diagnosis, design, and treatment.
Prior to trying MetiSmile, Dr. Li Bao found that 2D images were limited. When taking patient pictures for smile and denture design, he said. “I lacked critical information when using 2D pictures. MetiSmile greatly helped my design, making things easier and faster.” Suggesting more training videos to help dental assistants use the technology, Dr. Bao also commented on the system’s ease of use, calling it “very easy to operate,” and added, “The MetiSmile scan can be easily integrated with a SHINING 3D intraoral scan.”
Orthodontist Dr. Jianjun Hao agreed that MetiSmile “connects to the intraoral scanner and makes the digital workflow efficient.” Although he’d like to see the image resolution improved, he also said that he’d recommend MetiSmile to colleagues and continue to use it in his practice. Another evaluator reported that the technology is “easy for all staff to use.”
Dr. Danny Domingue, who described full-arch cases as a challenge he hoped MetiSmile could help address, said, “It’s easy to use and easy to implement.” When asked to suggest improvements, he said that he couldn’t think of anything he’d like to see improved about the technology.
Portability and Ergonomics
MetiSmile offers fast scan speeds, high accuracy, and high-fidelity texture. The device’s size (215 mm x 50 mm x 75 mm) and weight (800 grams) make it easy to move within the practice and ensure it’s not cumbersome for clinicians to use.
Dr. Hao described portability as his favorite feature. Dr. Kleive agreed, saying, “The portability of the product makes it easy to move from treatment room to treatment room.”
Treatment Planning and Case Acceptance
Confirming that MetiSmile aids treatment planning and helps to increase case acceptance, Dr. Kleive said, “We are able to get greater case acceptance by offering a 3D visualization of proposed treatment.” Culp said the technology “allows for more accurate case planning and better communication with the patient” and also named “completion of jaw tracking” as a feature he would like to see improved. Another evaluator noted, “MetiSmile increases case acceptance in immediate denture work.”
Overall Satisfaction
All of the evaluators said they would recommend MetiSmile to their colleagues. Culp summed up his evaluation by describing MetiSmile as an “excellent, accurate product at an affordable price.” Concluding that “facial scan is a must-have tool for a digital dental practice,” Dr. Bao said, “MetiSmile is affordable and excellent for that.”
Takeaways
- Enables dentists to quickly capture facial information and create a 3D model
- Offers fast scan speeds, high accuracy, and high-fidelity texture
- Aids in diagnosis and treatment planning
- Improves patient communication and case acceptance
- Ideal for use in various applications, including maxillofacial surgery, implantology, dentures, and orthodontics
