PreVu cosmetic simulation and smile design software motivates patients to commit to treatment by helping them envision themselves with a new smile
For many patients, a dental procedure designed to improve their appearance is a luxury—something they may have considered but is often put on hold until a someday that may never arrive. To encourage patients to take that next step, why not show them what they could look like with a brand-new smile? After all, seeing is believing. With PreVu cosmetic simulation & smile design software, dentists have a quick and easy tool to show patients a high-quality simulation of their potential treatment options in minutes.
“Communicating possibilities and getting patients excited about their potential” is key to helping them “pull the trigger,” says Dr. William Schlosser, who uses PreVu’s software to show patients a side-by-side view of before-and-after photos featuring a simulation of what they could look like after a smile makeover. After viewing the photos, he said, “Patients become psychologically ‘there’ and are more interested and engaged in what we have to say.” Instead of trying to convince patients to commit to treatment, he now has patients asking, “How can we make this happen?”
Ease of Use
Designing a smile with PreVu software is simple and intuitive, with simulations produced in minutes by any team member. “The software is easy to use chairside and any team member can use it,” said Deborah Loveitt, RDH. “I enjoyed how fast you can do a simulation; [the entire process] really does take under 5 minutes,” noted Juana Lopez, RDA. When asked to suggest improvements, an assistant said she’d “like more open bite with tongue options,” and a few users suggested more smile files in the library. Dr. Gregory Wych called it a “fast, easy, userfriendly way to achieve quality simulations.”
Patient Reaction
PreVu software simulates patient smiles after whitening, placing veneers, bonding, gingival recontouring, lip augmentation, orthodontics, implants, dentures, full-arch rehabilitation, and other procedures. Engaging patients in a visual presentation of their future smiles adds a wow factor to appointments, especially enhancing the new patient experience.
“It’s wonderful when patients are overcome with emotion when they see the possibility of what we can do to help them,” said practice manager Lee Danner, and an assistant described a patient’s daughter who “started crying because she’d never seen her father with teeth.” After patients view the simulations, Dr. David Wood remarked, “They’re excited, they’re motivated!” Evelyn Cadena said she “sees the impact it creates when patients without any teeth see their faces with teeth again. They’re always in shock and can’t believe how different their faces look.”
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"The software is easy to use chairside and any team member can use it"
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"Patients become psychologically 'there' and are more interested and engaged...after viewing the photos."
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"I enjoyed how fast you cand do a simulation."
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Deborah Loveitt, RDH Gorham, ME |
William Schlosser, DMD Springfield, IL |
Juana Lopez, RDA Houston, TX |
Increased Case Acceptance
A PreVu smile design simulation helps get patients interested in cosmetic dentistry, enhancing their understanding of a procedure and possibly creating an emotional want that could motivate them to schedule treatment. Users can email simulation photos to patients, who can share them with friends and family. Those people often give positive feedback and encouragement to the patient, potentially increasing the likelihood of treatment acceptance.
“PreVu has helped us close cases with patients who are new to the office. It helps establish relationships and allows patients to imagine how their smiles and their lives could change with the treatment we offer,” shared Danner. After using PreVu for only a week, Danner said the software helped the practice close a $6,500 clear aligner case. “It was really helpful as this patient had extremely crooked teeth. When she saw how she could look, she committed to treatment at the consultation appointment!”
With a goal of “closing more consultations and helping patients understand how big an impact dental implants can make in their lives,” Cadena said the simulations created by PreVu software allow patients to “actually see how different they look and even how young it can make them feel.” Lopez described a patient who spent months considering a full mouth makeover but never seemed 100% convinced. “After my very first training I worked on her simulation [with PreVu], emailed it to her, and, within an hour of receiving it, she called to schedule an appointment to start treatment.” Reporting that “adult patients have started ortho treatment after seeing what their teeth could look like straighter,” Loveitt said, “We’re currently doing multiple veneers for a patient who, before PreVu, was concerned his teeth would look too ‘fake.’” Noting that “patient acceptance is amazing,” Dr. Shahriela Ganjoor said PreVu has improved the lives of her patients. “They couldn’t imagine what their smiles would look like, and the smile makeover simulation helped sell cases. I can use it for gum lifts, peg laterals, smile makeovers.”
"Patient acceptance is amazing!”
Elizabeth DooherAnthony, RDH
Rochester, NY
Overall Satisfaction
PreVu is “a very helpful way to help patients see their potential outcomes,” shared Lopez, who said patients “get very excited with how they can potentially look.” Noting that she will recommend PreVu to colleagues, Loveitt concluded, “One whitening case a month pays for the program.”
Takeaways
• Smile design simulations can be produced by any team member
• Instantly allows patients to preview their potiential smiles and visualize treatment options
• Enhances understanding of procedures and motivates patients to schedule treatment
• Simulation photos can be printed or sent via encrypted email to patients
• PreVu simulations help increase case acceptance
