Dental Esthetics and the Golden Ratio This may be a bit esoteric at first, but bear with me as it does become quite relevant. Long before Fibonacci, the Greeks used it to make the Parthenon pleasing to the eye, Leonardo Da Vinci used it in almost all of his later work, and even modern car designers use it.
Background on the Golden Ratio and the Golden Spiral The Golden Spiral is best seen in the sagittal section of the Nautilus shell. The Golden Spiral is created by making squares out of the number of the Fibonacci Sequence, starting with a square that is 1x1.
How all this relates to Dentistry The most useful way in which this relates to dentistry is in the use of the Golden Ratio in the determination of tooth size. For example, the two center teeth in the mouth are called central incisors.
Other Considerations for Creating the Esthetic Smile The use of the Golden Ratio is merely a tool in the creation of the ideal esthetic smile. It can provide the dentist with a framework of information from which to start when designing a patient's new smile. Adherence to the Golden Ratio is not the final judge of success as there are many other factors that must be considered. Masculine vs. Feminine Smiles Tooth Size and Shape Age Shade (tooth color)
Masculine vs. Feminine Smiles Masculine smiles tend to have flat edges on the teeth, prominent central incisors, smaller lateral incisors, a flat smile line, flat canines, etc. Feminine smiles tend to follow the curve of the lower lip, have rounded edges on the teeth, laterals that are more equal in size to the centrals, sharper canines, etc.
Tooth Size and Shape
This may seem a bit peculiar, but generally speaking the size and shape of a person's teeth is directly related to the size and shape of that person's head.
Age Older teeth tend to have more color to them, and they tend to be worn down a bit. A smile best suited for a 16 year old girl is going to be out of place and esthetically displeasing on a 68 year old woman.
Shade (tooth color)
Shade (tooth color) continued..... There are four components that make up the final appearance of a tooth's color. Hue- Hue is the wavelength of the shade and this determines if a tooth looks more yellow or gray or brown. Chroma- Chroma is usually determined by age and by the specific tooth in question Value- It is the brightness of the tooth from black to white Translucence- This is the amount of light that passes through different layers of the tooth.
Subtleties There are many other subtle factors to consider in the creation of an esthetic smile. Teeth have characteristics like faces that make them unique which must be incorporated for a successful result. There are small irregularities in the shade, there are developmental bumps and ridges even on what generally appears to be a flat surface.
Putting it all Together The Final Esthetic Treatment must meet the following requirements: 1. It must compliment the functional requirements of the teeth, musculature and the TMJ (jaw joint). 2. It must be in esthetic harmony with the entirety of the face. 3. It must not adversely affect the biological health of the gingiva and supporting bone. 4. It must create symmetry within the mouth and be centered with the face. 5. It must be as conservative as possible. 6. It must bring joy to the patient!
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