Do I need professional dental photos?

No. Smartphone photos taken in good natural light are sufficient for a preliminary quote. The most important factor is lighting — take photos near a window or outside, never in bathroom artificial light. A retracted frontal photo (lips pulled back with fingers) gives the most clinical information. You can use a lip retractor (AUD 2–5 on eBay) or just use clean fingers.

Do I need to send X-rays?

Not required, but very helpful for implant and complex cases. If your Australian dentist has taken an OPG in the last 12 months, ask for a digital copy (JPEG is fine) and include it. For CBCT scans, ask for DICOM format on USB or a download link. Photos alone are sufficient for a veneer or whitening quote; X-rays become important for implants, bridges, and full-mouth reconstruction.

How do I send the photos?

Upload via the free quote form at vietnamdentalholiday.com/free-quote/, or send by WhatsApp to Picasso's coordinator (number provided after submitting the quote form), or email directly to cs@picassodental.vn. WhatsApp is the fastest response method.

What will the quote include?

The quote is itemised in AUD (or USD if requested). It lists each procedure, the material used (e.g., Emax, Osstem implant), the price per unit, and the estimated number of appointments. It also notes any items that cannot be confirmed without a CBCT — for example, bone graft requirements for implants. The quote is non-binding; the final treatment plan is confirmed after the Day 1 CBCT and clinical assessment.

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How to take and send dental photos for a quote from Vietnam

What dental photos do you need to send to get a quote from Vietnam? Seven shots, camera tips, and where to send them to Picasso Dental Clinic for an AUD quote.

To get an accurate AUD quote from Picasso Dental Clinic, send seven photos: a front-facing smile, a retracted frontal view, left and right side profiles, upper arch, lower arch, and a close-up of any specific concern. Add any OPG X-ray you have. Picasso returns a written itemised AUD quote in English, usually within 24 hours.

The seven photos to send

Photo	How to take it	What it shows
1. Front smile (relaxed)	Natural smile, facing camera directly, eye level	Smile line, upper and lower tooth show
2. Front smile (full)	Big smile showing all teeth	Full display of upper teeth; gum show
3. Retracted frontal	Lips pulled back with fingers or retractor, facing camera	All front teeth visible; bite relationship
4. Left side profile	Retracted, camera at 90° to left cheek	Left side bite and tooth alignment
5. Right side profile	Retracted, camera at 90° to right cheek	Right side bite and tooth alignment
6. Upper arch	Mouth wide open, camera angled up	Upper teeth, palate, crowding, missing teeth
7. Lower arch	Mouth wide open, camera angled down	Lower teeth, tongue space, crowding
8. Close-up of concern	Specific tooth, chip, gap, or problem area	Targeted detail for the dentist

If you can only take three photos, prioritise: retracted frontal, left profile, right profile.

How to take good dental photos with your phone

Lighting

Best: outdoors in shade, or near a large window with natural daylight
Avoid: bathroom downlights (causes shadows and colour distortion), flash (too harsh, washes out detail)
If indoors, turn on all lights and face a window

Focus

Tap the screen on your teeth to set focus before taking the shot
Ensure the camera is 30–40cm from your face for close-up shots
Use portrait mode only for the full-face smile; for dental close-ups, use standard mode

Retracted frontal — the most important photo

Pull your lips back with your index fingers at the corners of your mouth. Alternatively, use a plastic lip retractor (available from eBay or dental supply stores for AUD 2–5). Have someone else take the photo, or prop your phone at eye level and use a timer.

Upper and lower arch shots

Wide open mouth. Phone held above (for upper arch) or below (for lower arch), camera angled in. Ask a friend or family member to help — these are difficult to take solo.

Sending X-rays

OPG panoramic X-ray

If your Australian dentist has taken an OPG, ask for a digital copy. Most practices can export a JPEG or PDF from their imaging software. Email this to yourself and then send to Picasso.

CBCT scan

If you have had a CBCT for implant planning in Australia, ask for the DICOM files on a USB drive. Your dentist or the radiology centre that took the scan is required to provide these on request. Send the DICOM folder via email link (Google Drive or Dropbox) to [email protected].

A recent Australian CBCT (within 12 months) can sometimes replace the Day 1 CBCT at Picasso — reducing your first appointment time and potentially saving AUD 33.

What information to include with your photos

When sending photos, include:

Which treatments you are interested in — e.g., “10 Emax veneers on upper front teeth” or “implant to replace missing upper right 6”
Any existing dental work — crowns, implants, bridges, root canals, dentures
Current concerns — sensitivity, pain, loose teeth, bite problems
Your timeframe — approximate dates you can travel
Australian state or city — helps Picasso estimate flight route and recommend travel dates around Vietnamese public holidays
Your preferred implant brand — if you have a preference (Osstem, Nobel, Straumann)

What happens after you send photos

Picasso’s English-speaking coordinator reviews photos, usually within 24 hours
A written itemised AUD quote is returned by WhatsApp or email
The quote notes what can be confirmed from photos vs what requires the Day 1 CBCT
If any concerns are identified from the photos (e.g., potential gum disease, missing bone), these are flagged honestly — not hidden to secure a booking

Where to send your photos

Quote form: vietnamdentalholiday.com/free-quote/ — upload photos directly, receive AUD quote by email
Email: [email protected] — for X-ray files and multiple photos
WhatsApp: number provided after submitting the quote form — fastest response