A digital preview only helps when it is tied to your real teeth and bite

Suitability depends on whether records can help planning and whether the mouth can support the changes being discussed. The appearance concern is only one part of the decision.

• Tooth structure, enamel, gum health, bite and existing dental work can all matter.
• Grinding, clenching, oral hygiene, sensitivity and decay risk may affect planning.
• Some patients need preventive or restorative care before cosmetic treatment can be considered.

If this pathway is not suitable, your dentist can explain alternatives such as standard cosmetic consultation, whitening, minor tooth-coloured repair, veneers, orthodontics, restorative care or no treatment.

Records may be recommended when they help your dentist assess the teeth, gums, bite or possible treatment sequence.

• Photos can help discuss colour, shape, symmetry and the teeth shown when smiling.
• Digital scans or models may help plan tooth shape, bite and spacing questions.
• X-rays may be needed if decay, old fillings, roots or bone levels must be checked.

Records support planning; they do not by themselves confirm that treatment will proceed.

Digital smile design is a planning process, so it has two parts: records and design review first, then any treatment that a later clinical plan includes.

• Records and design review belong to planning. Which photos, scans or X-rays are useful depends on what your dentist finds.
• Whitening, orthodontic movement, restorative care or laboratory work only apply if a treatment plan includes them, and each has its own timing.
• Reception can confirm what an appointment includes and whether another planning visit is needed.

Ask what can be estimated now and what depends on the clinical plan that follows.

Fees depend on the treatment plan. The records needed, design review, treatment sequence, materials and any preparatory care can all affect cost.

• The number of teeth involved can change fees significantly.
• Records, design review, laboratory work, preparatory care and maintenance may be separate considerations.
• Health fund rebates and payment-option eligibility depend on your policy and provider terms.

The team can explain fees and likely out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

No. It is a planning tool or process that may support a cosmetic discussion for suitable cases.

• The treatment itself may involve whitening, veneers, minor tooth-coloured repair, orthodontics or restorative care.
• Some patients may not need digital design records.
• Assessment decides whether digital planning adds useful information.

Ask what the records are meant to clarify before they are taken.

No. A preview can help discussion, but it cannot promise how treatment will look or function in the mouth.

• Tooth structure, gums, materials and bite can affect the final plan.
• The plan may change after further records or clinical review.
• Maintenance and limitations still need to be explained.

Use the preview as a guide for questions, not a promise.

It can sometimes help compare options and understand trade-offs before treatment is chosen.

• The discussion may show that a less involved option is worth considering.
• It may also show that oral health or bite care should come first.
• Some patients decide to delay or avoid treatment after reviewing the information.

A useful design conversation should make choices clearer, not narrower.

You may. Digital scans show surfaces and bite relationships, while X-rays may be needed for information that cannot be seen on the surface.

• X-rays may help check decay, roots, bone levels or existing dental work.
• Photos may help with colour, shape and smile-line discussions.
• Your dentist should explain why each record is recommended.

Ask which records are essential and which are optional.

Ask reception what is included before booking and what may be quoted separately.

• Ask whether photos, digital scans, X-rays, design review or written planning are included.
• Ask about location, booking conditions and possible extra costs.
• A design appointment does not confirm treatment suitability or total treatment fees.

Treatment decisions should wait until the assessment and fee discussion are clear.