Achieving the Perfect Smile
When it comes to achieving the perfect smile, there can be a broad definition and perception of smiles.
Each of us has a different genetic makeup that delineates our races. We also have diverse cultures, backgrounds, previous encounters, perceptions and preferences called taste.
While the answer to the question of an ideal smile varies with tastes, countries and trends, some basic principles apply.
One of the most essential and universal factors in creating an ideal smile is healthy oral tissues and the cleanliness of the appearance. A pleasant and confident mental status can enhance the radiance of pleasantry and comfort to the onlookers. There are a few other fundamental universal factors that constitute a perfect smile.
1.) Complete front teeth exposure
Almost all your upper front teeth (from the canine to canine) and part of the premolars should be visible in an attractive smile. Men tend to show a little bit more lower front teeth and less of their upper front teeth.
Orthodontic treatment and porcelain veneers – essentially like custom-made fingernails bonded to your teeth – can elongate and change the shape of your teeth to improve your smile.
2.) Symmetry
Teeth on the left or right should be mirror images of each other. The contact of the two central incisors should also coincide with the facial midline, and the occlusal plane of the teeth should be parallel to the line drawn between your eyes.
3) Minimum gums showing
There should be only a bit of the gum showing in a beautiful smile, with no more than 2 mm of gum height. Otherwise, the smile becomes gummy and becomes less attractive. Having healthy supporting gum tissues and morphologies is the key.
If the gummy smile is caused by the overactive muscles that raise the upper lips during smiling, a shot of Botox can be a solution.
If overgrown gums cause it, surgical gum trimming or gingivoplasty can be the solution.
Orthodontic treatment can also be considered intruding or extruding the teeth and gums to achieve more aesthetic results.
4) The Golden rules
There are numerous studies on the measurements of teeth, and the findings are the upper front teeth are about 11 mm long on average, and the width is around 8 mm. That 1:0.73 ratio is vital in designing the dimensions of the central incisors.
The incisal embrasure, the notch where the edge of one tooth meets the edge of the next tooth, is small where the central incisors meet, then wider where the central incisors meet the lateral incisors and even wider where the lateral incisors meet the canines.
The lateral incisors should have about 0.82 of the length of the central incisors, while the canines should be more or less the same length as the central incisors.
The width of the lateral incisors should be smaller than the central incisors at a ratio of 0.76, while the canines are at 0.9 of the width of the central incisors.
5) There should be a little space between the corners of your lips and your upper back teeth. This space is called a buccal corridor. Too little space will show a toothy grin, but too much will make your smile look too narrow. There is a yin-yang balance to be struck when designing a smile.
6) A shade of white and gold
Teeth that are yellow or brown are not attractive. Teeth with a homogenous white shade are considered beautiful, with a slightly darker shade of gold (very light yellow) along the gum line. Dentists can help you to achieve whiter teeth by either providing bleaching treatment to the front teeth or bonding white veneers onto your teeth.
7) Slim shaped
Teeth with round corners and curvy edges are more attractive than square or rectangular shaped-teeth.
8) Smile arc
The curve line of your upper front teeth should roughly follow the curve of your bottom lip to achieve an aesthetic smile line.
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I need to emphasize the importance of having and maintaining healthy gums and bones to accompany the beautiful anatomy and arrangement of the teeth. If the foundation and oral hygiene are not good, dentists will not be able to achieve a perfect smile for you.
Happy to serve clients with a variety of dental issues, Call us to book an appointment today.
Read some of our other blogs for more information on teeth implants, botox in dentistry, and more.
