Face scanning in dentistry: the MetiSmile guide

Intraoral scanners capture teeth. Face scanners capture everything else: lip line, smile arc, facial midline, soft tissue dynamics. When you design anterior restorations without facial reference data, you're guessing at how the teeth will look in the context of the patient's face. Face scanning removes that guessing.

Shining 3D makes two face scanners for dental use. Here's what they do and who needs them.

Two models, different capabilities

MetiSmile MetiSmile MR
Price $5,999 $12,999
Type Standard face scanner Mixed reality face scanner
Capture Static 3D facial data Dynamic capture with MR
Best for Smile design, treatment planning Advanced aesthetics, full-face integration

MetiSmile: the entry point

The MetiSmile at $5,999 captures static 3D facial data. You scan the patient's face, and the software generates a 3D model that can be merged with intraoral scan data in CAD software like exocad (via Smile Creator) or 3Shape.

The primary use case is smile design. Instead of designing veneers or anterior crowns using only the intraoral scan, you design them with the patient's facial proportions as reference. The lip line, smile arc, midline, and facial asymmetries are all visible in the merged dataset.

This is also a patient communication tool. You can show patients a 3D visualization of how their smile will change before any prep work happens. For elective cases like veneer makeovers, this visualization often closes the case.

MetiSmile MR: the advanced option

The MetiSmile MR at $12,999 adds mixed reality capabilities. Where the standard MetiSmile captures a static snapshot, the MR captures dynamic facial data, which means it can account for how the face moves during speech and smiling.

For practices doing complex anterior cases where dynamic lip movement matters (full-arch rehabilitations, extensive veneer cases), the MR provides data that static scanning can't.

The digital workflow with face scanning

  1. Capture face scan with MetiSmile (takes about 30 seconds)
  2. Capture intraoral scan with Aoralscan (3 or Elite)
  3. Import both datasets into CAD software
  4. Merge face scan with intraoral scan using alignment markers
  5. Design restorations with full facial context visible
  6. Generate patient presentation (3D smile preview)
  7. Patient approves, proceed to fabrication

The merge step is where the value shows up. Without facial data, the technician designs teeth in isolation. With facial data, the design accounts for how the teeth relate to the lips, gum line, and facial symmetry. This is most visible on upper anterior restorations: veneers, crowns, and bridges from canine to canine.

Who needs face scanning

Not every practice needs a face scanner. It's most valuable in these situations:

  • Cosmetic practices doing veneers and smile makeovers (the visualization helps close cases)
  • Practices doing full-mouth rehabilitations where facial proportions drive the design
  • Implant practices working in the anterior zone (esthetic zone planning)
  • Labs that want to offer smile design as an upsell service to referring dentists
  • Any practice where patient communication and case acceptance are bottlenecks

If your practice is primarily posterior restorative work, implants in the molar region, or orthodontics, a face scanner won't change your workflow much.

Training

MetiSmile training is available for $900. It covers scanner operation, software integration, and the smile design workflow. Like all Shining 3D training products, it's a digital service with no shipping.

How it connects to the rest of the Shining 3D system

MetiSmile data integrates with the broader Shining 3D digital workflow. Scan the face with MetiSmile, scan the teeth with Aoralscan, design in exocad or AccuWare, and print on AccuFab. You don't have to use all Shining 3D products together, but the data handoff is clean when you do.

Dentcore is an authorized Shining 3D dealer.

Want to add smile design to your practice? We can help you pick the right MetiSmile model and set up the workflow.

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Related Dentcore guides

For reference only. Specifications, pricing, and availability are as of the publication date and may change without notice. Dentcore is not responsible for discrepancies. Always verify with the manufacturer before purchasing.