Turning Smiles into Works of Art
Dr Andrea Shepperson Launches New Zealand’s First Digital Smile Design Centre
There’s a new craze sweeping the world, and it’s turning average smiles into works of art. Whether you want to recreate
the smile you had when you were in a teenager or simply improve on what nature gave you, Digital Smile Design is the answer.
The brainchild of Brazilian dentist, Dr Christian Coachman, Digital Smile Design blends leading edge technology with art
and design to create smiles that leave nothing to chance. And now, it is available in New Zealand, with the launch of
the country’s first Digital Smile Design centre by Dr Andrea Shepperson at Lumino’s City Dental at Quay Park in Auckland.
Dr Shepperson is already one of New Zealand’s leading cosmetic dentists, and is the only dentist in New Zealand
personally trained and mentored by Dr Coachman in the Digital Smile Design methodology.
“Advances in digital technology are transforming dentistry”, says Dr Shepperson. “No longer do we just focus on the
mouth and teeth; now we are able to create smiles that are in harmony with a person’s face and personality.
“Leading cosmetic dentists need to go beyond the boundaries of traditional dentistry and acquire a set of artistic and
emotional skills and vision to become real “Smile Designers. With Digital Smile Design, we can capture the essence of
the patient, creating natural and beautiful smiles.”
The Digital Smile Design process starts with digital photos, scans and impressions of a patient’s mouth and teeth. These
are then analysed to determine the harmony of the smile, where teeth fit in the face and any biologic limitations of the
case. Videos are used to capture the spontaneity of the patient in action, and to ensure that the perfect smile is
designed based on their individual looks, facial characteristics and the personality of the patient. Precise measuring
tools are also utilised to make sure that each tooth is perfectly positioned, in line with smile design best practice.
Modern day technology allows the patient to preview their new smile and participate in the design process, before the
final step – turning design into reality. The result? A healthy, natural and beautiful smile!
Andrea said: “We smile up to 50 times per day, and studies show that smiling has many benefits including reducing stress
and encouraging general happiness and wellbeing. The more confident a person is with how their smile looks, the more
often they will smile and the better they will feel.
“Gone are the days of crooked smiles, badly designed crowns, veneers that don’t quite match in shape, or orthodontics
that still leave your teeth out of line. With Digital Smile Design, we can create the perfect smile for every individual.”
ENDS