Digital Smile Design in Lakewood, WA

In the past, cosmetic dentistry often required a “leap of faith”—you’d choose a treatment and hope the final result matched what you had in mind. For patients in Lakewood and Tacoma, Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS removes that uncertainty with Digital Smile Design (DSD). This revolutionary planning tool uses high-definition photography, 3D scanning, and specialized software to create a digital “mock-up” of your future smile before any work even begins. It allows you to “test drive” your new look and collaborate with Dr. Kim to ensure the final result perfectly complements your facial features and personality.

The Blueprint for Your Best Smile

At Dental Health Associates, we treat smile design as a marriage between art and science. As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kim doesn’t just look at your teeth in isolation; he considers how they harmonize with your lips, gum line, and facial proportions. The process involves several high-tech steps:

Digital Data Collection: We take high-resolution photos and videos of you speaking and smiling naturally to capture your unique facial dynamics.
3D Intraoral Scanning: Using a digital wand, we create a precise 3D model of your current dental structure—no messy putty required.
Facial Analysis: Dr. Kim uses DSD software to analyze your facial midline, the “smile curve” of your lower lip, and the proportions of your face to design teeth that look natural and balanced.

Why “Test Driving” Matters

The most powerful aspect of Digital Smile Design is the ability to see and feel the results early in the process. Once the digital design is ready, Dr. Kim can often create a physical “Mock-Up”—a temporary version of your new smile that you can actually wear. This allows you to:

Verify the Aesthetics: See how the length, shape, and color of your new teeth look in different lighting and while you talk.
Assess the Function: Ensure your bite feels comfortable and your speech is clear.
Provide Feedback: You become a co-designer of your smile, requesting minor adjustments to the digital blueprint until it’s exactly what you want.

Precision Beyond Aesthetics

For our neighbors in University Place and Steilacoom, DSD is more than just a cosmetic tool; it’s a surgical advantage. When combined with CBCT 3D Imaging, Dr. Kim uses the final “ideal” tooth position to guide where a dental implant should be placed. This “top-down” approach ensures that the foundation (the implant) perfectly supports the goal (the beautiful tooth). It leads to better long-term health, easier maintenance, and a more predictable outcome for complex cases like All-on-4 or full-mouth restorations. Dr. Kevin Kim’s commitment to advanced technology means you never have to guess about your results. To learn more about the principles of aesthetic harmony, you can visit the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or explore the Digital Smile Design global site. At our Lakewood office, we believe everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of—and a predictable journey to get there.