Published September 2026
- Photos and models are simple records of how things look today, not treatment
- A small camera captures photos of the smile and teeth
- A scan or a quick impression captures the shape of the teeth
- Both go into the file, ready for planning
- Months later, at a follow-up visit, the same photos are taken again
- Placed side by side, they show what changed and what stayed the same
Who usually does it
general dentist. Common in general, orthodontic and cosmetic offices.
One question worth asking
Will these records be used for planning, and can I get a copy?
3D photographs
D0351. A 3D surface image of the face or teeth, mostly for orthodontic or surgical planning.
Photographs of the face or teeth and plaster or digital models of the teeth help the dentist plan treatment and show you the before and after. These are records, not treatment.
Photos are taken with a small camera and cheek retractors, and models come from a quick impression or a digital scan. They record how things look and fit today so the dentist can plan and compare later. Nothing is treated at this visit. Most plans do not pay for records on their own, so ask the office how they are billed.
Codes for this
Upload it or type the lines. We read it and show what happened to other patients. Free, no account.
No dental office can pay to change what we show you.