Help your smile shine
Get matched today with a top-rated cosmetic dentist near you
Modern dentistry tools that are changing the smile makeover game
Modern dentistry tools that are changing the smile makeover game
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
Getting a better smile used to mean a long process with metal tools, messy molds, and plenty of time in the dental chair. Today, modern technology has made cosmetic dentistry faster, more comfortable, and more precise.
New tools are helping dentists design better smiles while making the whole experience easier for patients. Here are a few of the most game-changing ones.
Digital Smile Design (DSD)
Digital Smile Design lets dentists map out your new smile using 3D images and video. They take photos and scans of your face, teeth, and bite. Then they use software to create a custom plan based on your facial structure and goals.
The biggest benefit? You can see a preview of your future smile before any work begins. Dentists can even adjust the plan in real time, so it fits your exact needs. This tool also helps avoid surprises and improves communication between you and your dentist.
The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry reports that DSD makes cosmetic procedures more predictable and improves patient satisfaction.
Intraoral scanners
Say goodbye to trays filled with sticky goop. Intraoral scanners are small, wand-like cameras that capture a digital 3D image of your teeth and gums. They take just a few minutes and are far more comfortable than old-fashioned impressions.
These scans are used to design crowns, veneers, aligners, and more. They’re faster, more accurate, and often more affordable over time.
The American Dental Association notes that digital impressions reduce the need for retakes and errors, which leads to better-fitting dental work.
3D printing
3D printing isn’t just for making toys or tools. Dentists now use it to print custom crowns, bridges, dentures, and even surgical guides. Once a digital scan is taken, a printer can build a detailed model or appliance in just a few hours.
This means faster turnaround times and fewer visits. It also lowers costs in some cases since there’s no need to send models out to a lab.
According to a 2023 article in Materials journal, 3D printing in dentistry continues to grow and is becoming more accurate and reliable every year.
Laser dentistry
Lasers are being used in more dental procedures than ever before. They can reshape gum lines, remove decay, whiten teeth, and even treat ulcers. Lasers reduce bleeding and swelling, which means faster healing and less discomfort.
For cosmetic procedures like gum contouring, laser tools make small adjustments without cutting. The result is cleaner, more controlled results with little recovery time.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several laser systems for dental use. When used properly by a trained dentist, they are considered safe and effective.
Clear aligners and AI-based planning
Clear aligners like Invisalign have been around for a while. But now, artificial intelligence is helping make them even smarter. AI tools can now predict how teeth will move over time and plan the most efficient path to straightening them.
The result is a more precise treatment plan that can sometimes shorten the amount of time you need to wear aligners.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics found that AI-assisted aligner planning increased treatment accuracy and reduced the number of refinements needed later.
Same-day crowns with CAD/CAM
Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) allows dentists to scan your tooth, design a crown, and create it on-site—all in one visit. No temporary crowns. No waiting a week for a lab.
Same-day crowns are made from high-quality ceramic and can match the look of your natural teeth. These machines are becoming more common in modern dental offices and help save both time and money.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that CAD/CAM crowns offer strong, reliable results and are often as durable as traditional crowns.
The future is bright (and painless)
Dentistry has come a long way. Thanks to these tools, getting a better smile doesn’t have to be stressful or drawn out. You can now get a detailed plan, faster results, and more natural-looking outcomes. It’s easier than ever to get the smile you want—without all the fuss.
And as a bonus, no one has to gag on those impression trays anymore. That alone feels like a small miracle.
Your current options for dental aesthetics are pretty good too. Take our quiz to be matched with a dental aestheticist that's right for you based on what you need.
Sources
Read more about this in the links below.
JCE Dentistry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5782896/
American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/digital-dentistry
Materials Journal: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/4/1431
FDA: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-imaging/dental-lasers
Journal of Clinical Orthodontics: https://www.jco-online.com/archive/2021/06/ai-and-aligner-treatment/
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23136-cad-cam-crowns
Getting a better smile used to mean a long process with metal tools, messy molds, and plenty of time in the dental chair. Today, modern technology has made cosmetic dentistry faster, more comfortable, and more precise.
New tools are helping dentists design better smiles while making the whole experience easier for patients. Here are a few of the most game-changing ones.
Digital Smile Design (DSD)
Digital Smile Design lets dentists map out your new smile using 3D images and video. They take photos and scans of your face, teeth, and bite. Then they use software to create a custom plan based on your facial structure and goals.
The biggest benefit? You can see a preview of your future smile before any work begins. Dentists can even adjust the plan in real time, so it fits your exact needs. This tool also helps avoid surprises and improves communication between you and your dentist.
The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry reports that DSD makes cosmetic procedures more predictable and improves patient satisfaction.
Intraoral scanners
Say goodbye to trays filled with sticky goop. Intraoral scanners are small, wand-like cameras that capture a digital 3D image of your teeth and gums. They take just a few minutes and are far more comfortable than old-fashioned impressions.
These scans are used to design crowns, veneers, aligners, and more. They’re faster, more accurate, and often more affordable over time.
The American Dental Association notes that digital impressions reduce the need for retakes and errors, which leads to better-fitting dental work.
3D printing
3D printing isn’t just for making toys or tools. Dentists now use it to print custom crowns, bridges, dentures, and even surgical guides. Once a digital scan is taken, a printer can build a detailed model or appliance in just a few hours.
This means faster turnaround times and fewer visits. It also lowers costs in some cases since there’s no need to send models out to a lab.
According to a 2023 article in Materials journal, 3D printing in dentistry continues to grow and is becoming more accurate and reliable every year.
Laser dentistry
Lasers are being used in more dental procedures than ever before. They can reshape gum lines, remove decay, whiten teeth, and even treat ulcers. Lasers reduce bleeding and swelling, which means faster healing and less discomfort.
For cosmetic procedures like gum contouring, laser tools make small adjustments without cutting. The result is cleaner, more controlled results with little recovery time.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several laser systems for dental use. When used properly by a trained dentist, they are considered safe and effective.
Clear aligners and AI-based planning
Clear aligners like Invisalign have been around for a while. But now, artificial intelligence is helping make them even smarter. AI tools can now predict how teeth will move over time and plan the most efficient path to straightening them.
The result is a more precise treatment plan that can sometimes shorten the amount of time you need to wear aligners.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics found that AI-assisted aligner planning increased treatment accuracy and reduced the number of refinements needed later.
Same-day crowns with CAD/CAM
Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) allows dentists to scan your tooth, design a crown, and create it on-site—all in one visit. No temporary crowns. No waiting a week for a lab.
Same-day crowns are made from high-quality ceramic and can match the look of your natural teeth. These machines are becoming more common in modern dental offices and help save both time and money.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that CAD/CAM crowns offer strong, reliable results and are often as durable as traditional crowns.
The future is bright (and painless)
Dentistry has come a long way. Thanks to these tools, getting a better smile doesn’t have to be stressful or drawn out. You can now get a detailed plan, faster results, and more natural-looking outcomes. It’s easier than ever to get the smile you want—without all the fuss.
And as a bonus, no one has to gag on those impression trays anymore. That alone feels like a small miracle.
Your current options for dental aesthetics are pretty good too. Take our quiz to be matched with a dental aestheticist that's right for you based on what you need.
Sources
Read more about this in the links below.
JCE Dentistry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5782896/
American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/digital-dentistry
Materials Journal: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/4/1431
FDA: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-imaging/dental-lasers
Journal of Clinical Orthodontics: https://www.jco-online.com/archive/2021/06/ai-and-aligner-treatment/
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23136-cad-cam-crowns
______________________________________________