What will teeth look like after veneers are placed? Will the new crowns fit your face? And can a future smile be seen before starting therapy?
Digital Smile Design (DSD), digital smile planning that attracts additional attention in 2026 thanks to the advancement of 3D technology and artificial intelligence, answers these questions.
1. What is Digital Smile Design?
DSD is a method by which the dentist, based on photos, videos and, if necessary, digital images of the teeth, creates a visual proposal of the future smile.
Not only the shape of an individual tooth is observed. Facial proportions, lip line, gum visibility and tooth ratio during smile are taken into account.
The patient can thus discuss the desired changes before deciding on the procedure. It is important to know that virtual simulation is not a guarantee of the final result.
2. Where does AI come in?
Digital planning is not new, but tools are evolving rapidly. Some modern AI systems can analyze photos, identify anatomical landmarks, and help create shape and arrangement suggestions for teeth.
This can speed up initial planning and facilitate communication between the dentist, the dental laboratory and the patient.
Still, Digital Smile Design and AI are not the same: many offices use DSD without artificial intelligence. The final decision on therapy must always be made by a specialist after a clinical examination.
3. For which procedures is it useful?
- Digital planning is particularly interesting for people who are thinking about:
- Ceramic veneers or crowns
- Greater aesthetic renewal of the smile
- Orthodontic therapy
- More complex prosthetic rehabilitation
But a nice display is not enough. The dentist must assess gum health, tooth condition, bite, and jaw joint function. Sometimes it is necessary to treat existing problems before the aesthetic procedure.
4. Where is Digital Smile Design available in Croatia?
One of the providers in the Energy Clinic guide is the [Dentorium in Rijeka] dental office (https://www.dentorium.hr/en/).
The clinic led by dr. Daniel Žgombić offers Digital Smile Design – virtual planning of the future appearance of teeth based on photos and videos – as part of an approach to aesthetic and restorative dental medicine.
In addition to digital smile planning, the practice also deals with complete dental rehabilitation, prosthetics and orthodontic therapy.
5. Is a digital smile really better?
Research from 2026 points to the benefit of digital tools in measuring, planning and presenting possible results. However, the scientific evidence on whether they increase patient satisfaction is still limited.
Therefore, before making a decision, it is worth asking: what can the simulation realistically show, what are the treatment options, how much healthy dental structure must be removed and what is the long-term maintenance plan?
The future of dentistry is not in the perfect smile drawn by the computer, but in the technology that helps the patient and the dentist make a better decision.
Not sure what suits you?
Find the right provider for you with our AI tool →