Analyse Your Smile

The mouth is the dominant feature of the face by virtue of its size. By the same token, the central incisor is the dominant tooth of the smile. It goes without saying that dominance must be measured according to personality.

Cosmetic dentistry creates attractive smiles that function in a state of health. As cosmetic and restorative dentist, I can help you determine how to improve your smile, thereby looking better and feeling better about your appearance. If your teeth are chipped, spaced or discoloured, if their shape is somehow unattractive or if you simply want to have an eye-catching smile, I can give you the smile you once had or the one you always wished for.

Analyse Your Smile

And you thought a smile is a smile is a smile! Not at all - your mouth is the first point of contact when interacting with people, and apart from the eyes, the mouth is also where various emotions are first visible (a grin, a smirk, unhappy, and so on). There are two ways regularly used to analyse your smile - the emotional evaluation and the objective analysis.

Below is a simple list of questions using each approach that you can do on your own in the convenience of your own home.

The Emotional Smile Evaluation

The emotional smile evaluation is based on each individual's subjective perceptions of his or her smile. The questions below are designed to help reveal a person's inner feelings about the manner in which their smile affects their self image, how it impacts interactions with others, and how it influences the quality of their relationships.

• Do you love the appearance of your teeth and smile?
• Do you ever turn your face when smiling or hold your hand up in front of your mouth when talking to others?
• Have you ever found yourself looking at models or other people with beautiful smiles and wishing you had a similar smile?
• Have you figured out a way to use your lips to cover any aspect of your smile?
• Are you embarrassed to visit a cosmetic dentist due to the condition of your teeth or the length of time since your last visit to a dentist?
• How does your smile make you feel? Confident?
• Do you shy away from showing a full smile in front of other people, especially strangers?
• When taking pictures, do you tend to smile with your lips closed instead of flashing a happy smile?
• Have you ever held back a laugh because you felt uncomfortable about your smile?
• How would a beautiful new smile make you feel?
• What would you like to change about your smile?

The Objective Smile Analysis

For the objective analysis, the best thing is for you to stand in front of a mirror. Now, smile at yourself using your 'normal' smile. Next, look at the mirror and think of a hilarious moment in your life and give a big, laughing smile. This big smile is probably a much larger smile than you feel comfortable using much of the time if you are not happy with your teeth. When your smile is improved, however, your big smile appears much more spontaneously because you look (and feel) great! So let's figure out what's holding your big smile back -- what it is that bothers you about your teeth.

• Are all of your teeth brilliant white or are they somewhat yellow, dark, or stained?
• Are there spaces between any of your teeth?
• Are you missing any of your teeth?
• Do you have teeth that are crooked, uneven, or out of line?
• Do the biting edges of your upper teeth follow the curvature of your upper lip?
• Do any of your teeth appear short and fat or too small or too large?
• Are the edges of any of your teeth too long or too short or are all your teeth even?
• Do your teeth (as a group) slant one way or another?
• Is the midline of your two front teeth centred with your face and nose?
• Are the edges of your canine teeth too long, sharp, or look out of line?
• Do you grind your teeth or are any of the biting edges on your teeth chipped or worn down?
• Do you have a "gummy" smile -- showing too much gum tissue or having gums that are too thick?
• Are your gums even and in line and symmetrical or irregularly shaped -- higher on some teeth and lower on others?
• Have your gums receded or do they appear red or puffy?
• Do you have any grey, black or silver dental fillings in your teeth?
• Do you have any old crowns that have dark edges at the top or that don't really look natural?

If you answered yes to MOST of the above questions, I can help give you a better, more beautiful smile.

Assess Your Smile

How Good is Your Smile?

Before your initial visit ask yourself these questions so you can be sure to get the most from your consultation. I will offer you professional advice and solutions, but you must first identify the areas that concern you.

• Are you embarrassed to smile?
• Does this affect your confidence?
• What do you not like about your smile?
• How would you like to change your smile?

What makes a great smile?

Although the teeth have the greatest influence on the appearance of the smile, they are not the only factor that would make a beautiful smile. The shape and form of the lips as well as healthy gum tissue that does not show too much , all contribute to the smile that is perfect for you. Regardless whether you want a Hollywood smile or a more natural appearance, symmetry is essential for a beautiful smile.

Symmetry

Symmetry around the centreline of our face is of great importance for an aesthetically pleasing smile. Even when this is not 100% possible, the illusion of symmetry should be created. The front two upper central incisors should be symmetrical in size, length and shape.

Horizontal Alignment

Ideally the smile line should be aligned so it is parallel to the horizontal.

Smile Line

The edges of your upper teeth should follow the curvature of the lower lip when you smile.

Smile Width

With a narrow smile, the side teeth are often in shadow. This leaves dark triangles at the corner s of the mouth. A wider smile allows one to see the ideal progression from the front to the back teeth, this is more attractive!

Gum Line

The gum line connects the highest points of the gum levels(zenith) of the upper teeth. This height must be symmetrical on both sides of the mouth. Ideally this line should follow the line of the upper lip, to ensure minimum gum exposure and optimum display of the teeth on smiling. The upper lip should touch where the teeth meet the gum, although a small amount of visible gum tissue above the teeth is acceptable (2mm).

Tooth axis

The main axis of the tooth inclines backward from tip to gum. This inclination increases from the incisors to the canines.

Contact point

It is lowest on central incisors and gradually move upwards towards the canines. The shape of the tooth will influence this contact point.

Relative tooth dimension and proportion

Due to individual variations, it is difficult to provide "magic numbers" like the golden proportion, to define adequate tooth dimension and relative proportion. Perception of symmetry , dominance and proportion are influenced by many factors, and should be adapted for every personal smile.

Incisal edge configuration

A young smile has a "gull" shape whereas a more mature smile exhibits a flatter appearance.

Interincisal Angles

Interincisal Angles are the small triangular spaces between the tips of the teeth. These are artistically created by the ceramist and dentist to ensure a natural look.

Lips

Lips are to teeth as a frame is to a picture! The shape, fullness and symmetry of your lips can be optimised for the ideal smile.

Healthy gums

Gum tissue should have a light pink colour and firm texture without any swelling or bleeding. The papillae must completely fill the gap between teeth to avoid any visible black triangles.