Shining 3D MetiSmile 3D Dental Face Scanner

3D Face Scanning for Digital Dentistry

Traditional dental records can describe the teeth and occlusion without fully capturing the patient’s facial anatomy. The MetiSmile 3D face scanner adds detailed facial information to the digital dental workflow, allowing clinicians to create a more comprehensive digital representation of the patient.

Facial scan data can be combined with intraoral scans and CBCT data to create a virtual patient. The resulting multimodal dataset can help clinicians evaluate facial proportions, tooth position, smile aesthetics and the relationship between dental structures and the patient’s facial anatomy.

This workflow is particularly relevant to Digital Smile Design, aesthetic dentistry, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics and implant dentistry, where the planned restoration must be considered in relation to the patient’s face rather than teeth alone.

Virtual Patient Creation

MetiSmile software supports the creation of a 3D virtual patient by combining different sources of digital clinical information within a common coordinate system.

• 3D facial scan data
• Intraoral scan data
• CBCT data
• Multimodal data alignment
• DICOM data segmentation and automatic alignment

This multimodal workflow allows clinicians to visualise facial, dental and skeletal information together, supporting more comprehensive digital diagnosis and treatment planning.

Multimodal Digital Data Alignment

MetiSmile supports direct DICOM data segmentation and automatic alignment, allowing different digital datasets to be brought together within one coordinate system. This can simplify the process of creating a unified virtual patient for digital treatment planning.

The facial scan can therefore become part of a broader digital dentistry workflow rather than functioning as an isolated facial photograph or visualisation tool.

Digital Smile Design with MetiSmile

The MetiSmile Digital Smile Design workflow allows clinicians to visualise proposed aesthetic changes using a three-dimensional representation of the patient’s face. Instead of relying exclusively on conventional two-dimensional photographs, the 3D facial model provides a broader view of facial proportions and dental aesthetics.

Facial measurement and comparison tools can identify key facial planes and reference points, helping clinicians evaluate facial proportions and compare changes before and after treatment.

Facial Aesthetic Analysis

The MetiSmile software recognises three-dimensional facial features and provides tools for facial aesthetic analysis and treatment planning. Facial contours can be adjusted within the software to visualise potential changes as part of the treatment planning process.

The measurement and comparison functions can also be used to evaluate facial proportions and compare pre-treatment and post-treatment data, supporting communication between clinicians, patients and dental laboratories.

Orthodontic Facial Simulation

MetiSmile includes an orthodontic facial simulation workflow that can simulate changes to both the teeth and facial appearance during orthodontic treatment.

This provides patients with a three-dimensional visualisation of potential treatment outcomes and can help clinicians explain proposed orthodontic changes during consultations.

By presenting treatment possibilities within the context of the patient’s actual facial anatomy, the 3D face scanner can support more intuitive communication during orthodontic and aesthetic treatment planning.

ConsulDSD 3D Smile Design

ConsulDSD enables three-dimensional smile design within the MetiSmile workflow. Unlike conventional front-facing 2D photographs, 3D smile visualisation allows patients and clinicians to view the proposed aesthetic result from a more comprehensive facial perspective.

This can support treatment communication by helping patients understand the relationship between proposed dental changes and their overall facial appearance.

MetiSmile for Implant Dentistry and All-on-X Planning

3D facial scanning can be particularly valuable in implant prosthodontics and full-arch implant rehabilitation, where the position and design of the prosthesis must be considered in relation to the patient’s facial anatomy.

By integrating facial scan data with intraoral scans and CBCT information, MetiSmile can contribute to a virtual patient workflow for edentulous implant restoration. Facial information can help visualise tooth position, facial support and the relationship between the planned prosthesis and the patient’s facial features.

The MetiSmile-MR configuration also includes screw-retention jaw motion trackers for All-on-X implant cases. This allows mandibular movement information to be incorporated into digital workflows for cases involving full-arch implant-supported restorations.

3D Facial Scanning for Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation

In All-on-4, All-on-6 and other All-on-X implant workflows, facial scanning can provide additional information beyond the intraoral implant scan. Combining facial anatomy with digital implant and CBCT data can assist in evaluating the relationship between the planned full-arch prosthesis, facial support and overall smile aesthetics.

For edentulous patients, the virtual patient workflow can help integrate facial, intraoral and CBCT information into one digital environment, supporting communication between the implant clinician, restorative dentist and dental laboratory.

Mandibular Movement Tracking

MetiSmile-MR is specifically designed for workflows requiring mandibular movement tracking. It includes the Mandibular Movement Trajectory Tracking module as standard.

When integrated with intraoral scan data, mandibular movement information can be used to obtain digital dynamic occlusal contacts. This can help clinicians identify premature occlusal contacts and evaluate dynamic occlusion during restorative treatment planning.

Mandibular Movement Trajectory Analysis

The optional Mandibular Movement Trajectory Analysis module provides visualisation of condyle and incisal edge movements in different directions. When integrated with CBCT data, these movements can be visualised in three-dimensional space and projected onto standard anatomical planes.

The software can support evaluation of movement coordination, occlusal symmetry and stability. These data may also support clinical assessment of mandibular function, while diagnosis remains the responsibility of the treating clinician.

Optimal Jaw Relation Determination

The optional Optimal Jaw Relation Determination function helps identify a suitable jaw relationship for digital restorative workflows.

For dentulous patients, the function can support the creation of occlusal splints and occlusal rehabilitation workflows. For edentulous patients, the confirmed jaw relationship can be used to support denture fabrication and digital prosthetic workflows.

MetiSmile vs MetiSmile-MR

MetiSmile is supplied without the Jaw Motion Module as standard. Additional jaw motion functionality can be purchased separately when required. MetiSmile-MR comes standard with the Mandibular Movement Trajectory Tracking module.

Jaw Motion Trackers for All-on-X Cases

The MetiSmile-MR accessory system includes dedicated jaw motion trackers for different clinical situations.

• Cement-retention jaw motion trackers for natural teeth or removable denture cases
• Screw-retention jaw motion trackers for All-on-X implant cases
• Facial and jaw motion markers

The manufacturer specifies that the tracker body can be reused for up to 100 sterilisation cycles, while the geometric-featured shell can be reused for up to 50 cycles. Additional accessory kits are available separately.

Open Digital Workflow

MetiSmile supports open digital dentistry workflows through PLY, OBJ and STL output formats. Facial scan data can therefore be incorporated into compatible third-party digital dentistry software and workflows.

The system is also compatible with exocad, allowing facial and mandibular movement information to contribute to digital restorative and prosthetic workflows.

exocad Integration

Mandibular trajectory files can be exported to exocad to support digital prosthetic restoration design. Adjusted jaw relationships can also be imported into compatible digital workflows for applications such as accurate occlusal splint design.

MetiSmile Applications

MetiSmile Technical Specifications

Recommended Computer Configuration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Add a 3D Face Scanner to Your Digital Dentistry Workflow?

In modern digital dentistry, accurate treatment planning increasingly depends on understanding the relationship between the teeth, jaws and facial structures. A 3D dental face scanner adds this facial dimension to conventional intraoral and CBCT records, creating a more complete digital representation of the patient.

For clinicians performing Digital Smile Design, orthodontics, aesthetic dentistry, full-arch implant rehabilitation, All-on-X treatment and complex restorative dentistry, MetiSmile provides a way to bring facial anatomy into the digital workflow and improve visualisation of the planned treatment.

With open data formats, exocad compatibility, facial aesthetic analysis, smile simulation and optional mandibular movement tracking, Shining 3D MetiSmile provides a comprehensive platform for advanced 3D facial scanning and virtual patient workflows.