COSMETIC dentists understand that communication with the patient over what they expect, what they want their teeth to look like, is critical to their success. In order for you to be happy with the result, you need to have strong input into the artistic planning of your smile. To help you accomplish that, I’d like to give you an idea of the three smile designs.
The sexy smile
A sexy smile has variation in the lengths of the teeth. Since the central incisors tend to be longer than the other front teeth when they first come in and then wear down over time to an even length, we associate longer, more prominent central incisors with youth and "sexiness."
Therefore, in this smile design, the central incisors are significantly longer than the lateral incisors. This smile design conveys youth and boldness, or it can also convey warmth. A sexy smile design also draws the eye to the center of the face, emphasizing the nose and chin. It is good for people with prominent, attractive lips. Example: Christy Brinkley.
The sophisticated smile
Teeth in the sophisticated smile make a straight horizontal line. A sophisticated smile conveys maturity and intelligence. It tends to emphasize the width of the lower face. When teeth first erupt, the lengths tend to be more uneven. As we age, they wear to even lengths. Therefore, we associate teeth of even lengths with maturity, wisdom, and "sophistication." Example: Farrah Fawcett, Julia Roberts.
The sporty smile
A sporty smile is between sophisticated and sexy. The central incisors are a little longer than the laterals. A sporty smile design conveys casualness and informality, and can also convey warmth. It’s not quite as serious as the sophisticated smile nor as young as the sexy smile. Example: Joey Albert
Factors that influence the smile design are:
1. Your facial shape. For example, a long face may need to accentuate width to appear more oval. Someone with attractive features in the center of the face may need bold central incisors to draw attention to that center.
2. Your image aspirations. How do you want to appear to others? A sophisticated smile gives the appearance of more intelligence, maturity and judgment. A sexy smile gives the appearance of more warmth, energy and boldness.
3. Your age, or how old you want to appear. Longer central incisors make you appear younger. Also, whiter teeth make you appear younger. Conversely, a flatter smile or a more subdued color to the teeth make you appear more mature.
With your smile design consultation, a cosmetic dentist will go over all of these factors. He or she may have you pick a smile from a book of photographs of smiles. A good cosmetic dentist may disagree with your pick and will tell you, but the final decision is still yours. Ultimately, you have to be the one who is happy with your smile.
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To find out if you would benefit from denture reline or new dentures, call Dr. De Leon for a free consultation at 650-697-9000. Dr. de Leon is with Millbrae Smile Center located at 15 El Camino Real, Millbrae CA . She is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, ADA,CDA, SMCDS And AGD.
( Published on May 1, 2009 in Asian Journal San Francisco p B5)
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