Case acceptance a snap at Yokine Dental Centre

Yokine Dental Centre in suburban Perth has recently discovered the advantages of using SNAP Instant Cosmetic Dental Imaging software when presenting complex treatment to patients.

"SNAP is a wonderful tool that allows a patient to immediately connect with the treatment plan you're presenting," said Lara Slotar, Yokine Dental's practice manager and wife of principal dentist Sean Slotar.

"So often when people come in for major cosmetic work or a complete makeover, they have trouble visualising the end result. SNAP shows people very accurately how their teeth will look after treatment.

"It provides a before and after shot that they can take home and consider or discuss with their family and friends.

"And it also helps with informed consent," Mrs Slotar said. "Patients can see a very close approximation of how the completed treatment will look so that they have a clear expectation of the results before treatment commences."

To use SNAP, the practice takes an image of the patient and imports it into the software, which acts as the before photo. The simple to use imaging tools then allow veneers, crowns, bridges, implants, whitening, perio, fillings and much more to be simulated on the patient's photo to compile a very accurate "after" image within 2-3 minutes. A comprehensive library is included that contains an array of smiles with teeth of different shapes and sizes.

"We use SNAP with most patients who want cosmetic dentistry," Ms Slotar said. "It's a very quick and simple tool to use and it gives the patient something tangible to take home with them.

"At our practice, the dentists consult with the patient and develop a treatment plan. We then simulate the treatment plan in SNAP and more often than not, treatment is accepted on the spot and we quickly move to discuss financials and scheduling treatment. The patient also takes home a printed before and after image which reinforces their need for treatment and the expected treatment goals.

"Before using SNAP, our dentists would present treatment and give the patient valid reasons as to why they need treatment or discuss the outcomes they may want. We still had a high case acceptance but sometimes it was obvious the patient was taking a leap of faith and trusting that the outcome would be what they wanted.

"Now, using SNAP, nine times out of 10, if we show them the photo, they will accept treatment. It's just immeasurably easier and faster to achieve case acceptance because they can immediately see how they will look. We're not showing them pictures of someone else; they can see themselves with a new smile and for many people, that is a very emotional and life changing moment."