Zahndesign

Zahndesign is a term used in dentistry to describe the planning and execution of tooth morphology and arrangement with the aim of balancing function and aesthetics. It covers shaping individual teeth, determining their size, proportion, and contour, as well as their alignment within the dental arch and how restorations will look in the patient’s smile.

The concept integrates dental science with aesthetic judgment and often relies on digital tools. Clinicians use diagnostic records, photographs, and scans to perform digital smile design, simulate outcomes, and communicate options with patients. Techniques include diagnostic wax-ups, provisional restorations, and CAD/CAM fabrication of veneers, crowns, bridges, and implant-supported restorations.

Process and considerations involve assessing lip line, tooth display, and facial proportions; selecting shade and translucency; planning incisal edges, cusp heights, and occlusion; and conducting iterative reviews with the patient and dental technician. The aim is to produce restorations that are stable, hygienic, and harmonious with surrounding tissues.

Practice varies by region and practitioner, reflecting differences in esthetic philosophy and material science. While some guidelines reference proportion principles, Zahndesign emphasizes individualized design based on anatomy and patient goals, integrating function, appearance, and long-term oral health.