The Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” couldn’t be more apropos than when it comes to your smile, as no responsible dentist should give you a smile that they wouldn’t proudly flash themselves.
Whether you are considering porcelain veneers, dental implants, or need dental dentures, it is important that you find a dentist with the cosmetic dentistry expertise to design your natural-looking smile. Dr. Kirakosian has this expertise combined with a keenly artistic eye to design a beautiful smile that is customized to be in harmony with your individual features.
Proportion and Composition
In restorative dentistry, teeth size and shape are critical components in smile design. We understand that patients want their smiles to be dazzling, but advise against oversized, too bright teeth that look like white Chiclet gum and will make people think your teeth are unnatural.
We utilize the Golden Rule of Proportion, also called Divine Proportion, Golden Proportion, Golden Ratio or the Rule of Thirds that combines the principles of mathematics and nature to help us achieve natural, appealing smiles.
Alignment, proportion and symmetry are the key factors that are considered to ensure optimal balance. To determine the appropriate size and teeth shape, the main facial features that cosmetic dentists consider are the lip lines and interpupillary line.
The size of your mouth, jaw, face, eyes, nose, etc. also play a role in this analysis. Interestingly, facial plastic surgeons also employ these principles when performing various cosmetic procedures to enhance facial beauty.
Measured Dimensions
Simple arithmetic, algebra and geometry in terms of line-angles and distance along with perceived size converge to help decide teeth size, placement and creation.
The first step in determining the correct tooth dimensions is to see how the central teeth look in relation to other facial features. Ideal central teeth will exhibit a ratio of 4:5 in length, with a width of 75-80%.
This may vary from patient to patient but is the first “rule” used in evaluating the face. Then, remaining teeth placement can be determined.
Balancing Act
Before aiming for teeth that are perfectly symmetrical on both sides, it is important to understand that both halves of the face are rarely, if ever, perfectly symmetrical. There are, in fact, two types of symmetry – dynamic and static. Static, where one side of the smile exactly mirrors the other side, contrasts with dynamic symmetry, or “perfect imperfection”, wherein both sides, while not exactly the same, will look extremely similar. Dynamic symmetry is what New Look Dental employs when creating new smiles as this is what makes for a most aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Goals and Demographics
With restorative dentistry, we aim to work with each patient’s dental goals while taking into consideration your age and sex. Younger smiles ought to be more defined, and brighter and whiter while mature smiles should be somewhat shorter, have a smaller area and have a more natural shade. Men’s teeth tend to have more defined square shapes whereas women’s teeth are softer, smoother and more rounded. Personality also comes into play, with aggressive types favoring pointed canines. Consequently, cosmetic dentistry restorations look artificial when large, bright white teeth are used for an older person, or cuboidal teeth are used on a female.
Smile Design Guidelines
It is of utmost importance that a cosmetic dentist designs a plan that includes a model as well as the following to ensure proper tooth fabrication, preparation and restoration:
- Desired position of the midline, incisal edges and incisal plane
- Length and width of each tooth
- Tissue height
- Axial inclination
- Embrasure form
- Line angles
- Surface texture
New Look Dental carefully combines your preferences with these aspects to create your individual “dental formula” and an aesthetically pleasing smile that you will allow you to eat comfortably and feel proud of your appearance for years to come.
