Objective To explore the effect of facial scanning combined with intraoral scanning in digital smile design and implant restoration of anterior teeth. Methods A total of 80 patients who received implant restoration of anterior teeth in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 40 patients in each group. The control group was restored with traditional silicone rubber impression combined with facebow transfer technology, and the observation group received digital smile design and restoration with facial scanning combined with intraoral scanning technology. The restoration efficiency indicators, restoration marginal adaptation, aesthetic effect, periodontal health status and adverse events were compared between the two groups. Results The restoration production time and total number of visits in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The buccal, lingual, mesial and distal marginal gaps of the restoration and average marginal gap in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The PES score, WES score and total aesthetic score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). The probing depth, modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index and soft tissue health index in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of various adverse events between the two groups (P >0.05). Conclusion Facial scanning combined with intraoral scanning has definite application value in digital smile design and implant restoration of anterior teeth. It can effectively improve restoration accuracy, shorten production time, reduce the number of visits, enhance aesthetic effect and patient satisfaction, help to improve periodontal health status, and reduce the risk of adverse events.