Digital Smile Design in Santiago
The design is approved on screen before a single millimeter of enamel is touched
Digital Smile Design (DSD) is a planning protocol that uses clinical photography, 3D intraoral scanning, and CAD software to preview the aesthetic result before any dental preparation begins. The patient approves the final design before a single millimeter of enamel is removed. That's the core difference from traditional cosmetic dentistry: the result is decided on screen, not on the tooth.
At AS Odontología Digital, DSD is led by Dr. Camila Sampaio, aesthetic dentist and NYU College of Dentistry faculty. The flow starts with an iTero 5D intraoral scan and clinical photography, over which the shape, proportion, and position of each tooth is designed in CAD software. The criteria aren't only dental: the midline, incisal plane, and smile curve are planned in relation to the face, not in isolation.
Before touching a tooth, we fabricate a mock-up: a physical trial of the design placed in the mouth so you can see and approve the proposed shape. If something isn't convincing, it's adjusted at that stage, not afterward. It's the step that removes the uncertainty from the before-and-after, because you've already seen and approved the after.
DSD is the planning, not the treatment itself. Depending on the case, the design is materialized with porcelain veneers, crowns, prior whitening, or a combination with orthodontics when tooth position requires it. For crowns and millable restorations we work with in-clinic CAD/CAM (Primemill mill). For high-demand porcelain veneers we coordinate with a ceramist, keeping control of the design from the original digital file.
Tooth preparation is minimally invasive. In many cases veneers require 0.3 to 0.5 mm of reduction, and in specific indications we work with no reduction at all (additive technique). During the provisional period of one to three weeks, you wear aesthetic provisionals that reproduce the approved design, letting you live with the new smile before it's made definitive.
The indication includes misaligned or fractured teeth, stains that don't respond to whitening, interdental spaces, or old restorations that lost color or shape. Not every case is a veneer case: part of the work in the initial consultation is defining when the design is better resolved with prior orthodontics, with whitening alone, or with a combination. Honest diagnosis about what your case actually needs is part of the protocol.
Every smile design requires individual clinical evaluation. The first consultation includes clinical photography, iTero 5D intraoral scan, facial analysis, and digital result simulation (DSD), plus review of occlusion, TMJ, periodontium, and prior restorations. On that information we discuss the clinical options, materials, and phased sequence before any preparation.
Benefits
- ✓Preview the result with a physical mock-up before preparing a single tooth
- ✓Design led by Dr. Camila Sampaio, aesthetic dentist and NYU faculty
- ✓Facial planning, not just dental: midline, incisal plane, smile curve
- ✓Minimally invasive preparation (0.3 to 0.5 mm), no-reduction additive technique in indicated cases
- ✓In-clinic CAD/CAM fabrication on the Primemill mill for crowns
- ✓Porcelain veneers coordinated with a ceramist, design controlled from the digital file
- ✓Aesthetic provisionals that reproduce the approved design during treatment
- ✓Honest diagnosis about when a case is resolved without veneers
Composite veneers, porcelain veneers, or orthodontics: how the choice is made
A smile design is not a single treatment, it is a plan. Depending on the case, the result is reached with composite veneers, porcelain veneers, orthodontics, or a combination. Here is the practical difference between each path.
| Aspect | Composite veneers | Porcelain veneers | Orthodontics (Invisalign) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main indication | Shape and color changes in moderate cases | A complete, long-lasting aesthetic transformation | Corrects tooth position without touching healthy enamel |
| Tooth reduction | Minimal or none | Conservative enamel preparation | None |
| Color stability | Good, with periodic maintenance | High stain resistance and stable color over time | Does not change tooth color |
| Treatment time | One to two sessions | Several sessions, with prior digital design | Months, depending on case complexity |
| Reversibility | High | Partial | Not applicable |
| When they combine | Sometimes as a step before porcelain | Often completes a previously aligned case | Common: align first, then veneers |
Step-by-step protocol
From initial consultation to final result in 2 to 4 sessions
Step 1 · 45 min
Digital diagnosis
Professional clinical photography, facial analysis, and 3D intraoral scan. The foundation of the design.
Step 2 · 90 min
Digital Smile Design (DSD)
We design your new smile in CAD software over your own photos and 3D model. Golden ratios, lip line, smile type.
Step 3 · 30 min
In-mouth mock-up
We fabricate a physical trial placed in your mouth so you see and approve the design before preparing teeth.
Step 4 · 120 min
Minimally invasive preparations
Ultra-conservative preparations (0.3–0.5 mm in many cases) under anesthesia, with digital registrations and aesthetic provisionals.
Step 5 · 90 min
Definitive placement
Adhesive cementation of the definitive veneers or crowns, final occlusion adjustments and polishing. You leave with your new smile.
Our Approach
The protocol starts with facial analysis, clinical photography, iTero 5D scan, and CBCT when indicated. On that base I design the smile in software and fabricate a physical mock-up you try in the mouth before approving any preparation. You participate in the decision on shape, proportion, and color: the goal is a result that's natural for your face, not a standard smile. For crowns we use in-clinic CAD/CAM with lithium disilicate or zirconia; for high-demand porcelain veneers I coordinate with a ceramist while keeping control of the design from the original file. Occlusion and the temporomandibular joint are always evaluated before an aesthetic case, because a beautiful smile over a dysfunctional bite doesn't last.
Clinical team
Treatment led by Dr. Camila Sampaio
Dr. Camila Sampaio is Assistant Professor at the Apa Esthetics Advanced Clinical Fellowship of NYU College of Dentistry. Her clinical practice focuses on clear aligner orthodontics with the iTero 5D digital workflow, smile design, veneers, and advanced aesthetic dentistry. She has held Invisalign Diamond Provider status continuously since 2021.
View full profile →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a smile design treatment take?
Depending on complexity, a smile design can be completed in 2 to 4 appointments over 2 to 3 weeks. Cases requiring prior orthodontic treatment may extend over several months. At your initial consultation we give you a detailed phased timeline.
Is the procedure painful?
No. Smile design is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia. Most patients report a comfortable experience. If you experience dental anxiety, we offer conscious sedation options.
How long do smile design veneers or crowns last?
Well-indicated porcelain veneers and crowns last between 10 and 20 years with good hygiene and check-ups every 6 months. Longevity depends on three factors we evaluate before starting: periodontal health, bruxism control (with a nightguard when there's wear), and marginal seal quality. A veneer over a dysfunctional bite lasts less, which is why occlusion is always assessed first.
What's the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain offers greater durability, stain resistance, and translucency closer to natural enamel. Composite is a more conservative and reversible technique, indicated for minor changes or as a transitional solution. The choice depends on the clinical case, it isn't a quality tier: there are indications where composite is the correct option. We define which one fits your situation in the consultation.
Can I see what my smile will look like before treatment?
Yes, that's precisely the advantage of digital design. We create a virtual simulation and a physical mock-up you try in the mouth before approving the final design. You can request adjustments until the proposed shape is right.