What Photos Should I Send for a Dental Treatment Quote? | Smile Design Turkey
Published 30 April 2025 · 5 min read
When you request a dental treatment quote for treatment in Turkey, one of the first things a clinic will ask for is photos of your teeth. This is not just a formality — the quality and completeness of your photos directly affects how accurate and useful the quote you receive will be. This guide explains why photos matter, what types are needed, and how to take them yourself at home.
Why Photos Are Essential for a Quote
A dental treatment quote is not simply a price — it should be a preliminary assessment of what treatment your specific teeth require. Without seeing your teeth, a clinic can only offer a generic price range, which may bear little relation to what your actual treatment would cost.
Photos allow the dentist to:
- Assess the current condition of your teeth — shape, colour, spacing, and wear
- Identify any visible concerns such as chips, cracks, or uneven gum lines
- Estimate the number of teeth that would need treatment
- Recommend appropriate treatments (veneers vs crowns, for example)
- Provide a more meaningful preliminary cost estimate
The photos are used for clinical assessment, not aesthetic critique. Sharing them is a straightforward step towards getting a quote that is genuinely relevant to your situation.
Types of Photos That Are Most Useful
1. Front-On Smile Photo
Smile naturally and photograph your teeth from directly in front. This shows the overall width of your smile, the colour and shape of your front teeth, and your gum line. Take this in a well-lit area — natural daylight is ideal. Avoid harsh artificial lighting directly above, which can create shadows.
2. Lips Retracted (Front View)
Use your fingers or a clean spoon to gently pull back your lips on both sides, showing the upper and lower front teeth meeting. This gives the dentist a clearer view of the teeth without lips partially covering them, and shows how the upper and lower teeth relate to each other.
3. Side Profile Smile
A photo from the side (45 degrees or 90 degrees) shows the depth of your smile — how your teeth appear from the side, the profile of your jaw, and the relationship between your upper and lower teeth. Take one on each side if possible.
4. Close-Up of Upper Teeth
Open your mouth and photograph the upper teeth clearly, with the lower teeth visible below. This allows the dentist to see the shade, surface texture, and any chips or wear on individual teeth.
5. Close-Up of Lower Teeth (if relevant)
If you are considering treatment on your lower teeth as well, provide a similar close-up of the lower arch.
Ready to Submit Your Photos?
Use our simple quote request form to share your photos and receive a personalised estimate.
X-rays and CT Scans
For most cosmetic treatments — such as veneers, crowns, or a smile design — existing photos are sufficient for a preliminary quote. However:
- If you have dental X-rays from a recent check-up, these can be very helpful to include, particularly if you have existing restorations or have had any dental concerns recently.
- For implant treatment, a cone beam CT scan is essential before accurate planning can be completed. If you have had a CT scan, include it. If not, a preliminary cost estimate can still be provided from photos, with the understanding that a CT scan will be required before treatment begins.
How to Take Good Photos with Your Phone
- Lighting: Use natural daylight near a window, facing the light source. Avoid dark rooms or harsh overhead lighting.
- Stability: Rest your elbows on a surface or use a selfie stick to reduce movement blur.
- Distance: For close-up shots, position the camera 20–30cm from your mouth. Use the front camera for easier positioning, or the rear camera with someone else helping if possible.
- Mouth position: For retracted photos, use clean fingers, a spoon, or simply pull gently at the corners of your mouth. It looks slightly awkward, but the resulting photo is far more useful clinically.
- Clean teeth: Brush and rinse your teeth before taking photos. This removes surface staining and gives a more accurate picture of the underlying tooth colour.
- Multiple shots: Take several of each angle and choose the clearest one to submit.
What Not to Worry About
You do not need:
- Professional dental photography equipment
- A retractor tool (fingers work fine)
- Perfect photos (clear is more important than perfect)
- To enhance or filter the photos in any way
The clinicians assessing your photos do this regularly and are used to working with phone photography. The most important thing is that the photos are well-lit and show your teeth clearly. For more guidance on the quote process, see our how it works page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phone photos are entirely sufficient for a preliminary quote assessment. You do not need professional equipment. Good lighting, a steady hand, and a clear view of your teeth are what matter. The guide above covers exactly how to take useful photos with a standard smartphone.
For cosmetic treatments like veneers or smile design, X-rays are not usually required for an initial quote estimate — photos are sufficient. For implant treatments, a CT scan is essential for accurate planning, but a preliminary cost indication can be provided from photos before you invest in a scan.
Yes, absolutely. Mention any existing crowns, veneers, fillings, bridges, implants, or orthodontic treatment in your submission. This helps the clinic understand the current state of your teeth and factor any necessary removal or replacement into the treatment plan.
Not at all. Clinics assess photos clinically — they are not judgements on you personally. The purpose of the photos is purely to help the dentist understand what work may be needed. Patients request quotes with all manner of dental concerns, and the photos are treated with complete confidentiality.
This varies by clinic, but for straightforward cases, a preliminary estimate is often provided within a few working days. More complex cases requiring detailed planning may take a little longer. We aim to facilitate a timely response from selected clinics.
Submit Your Photos and Request a Quote
Use our form to share your dental photos and receive a personalised quote from selected clinics.
No obligation. Free to request. Your details are handled securely.