The classic smile

A significant portion of our population is supported in their habit of chronic dental neglect by unaffordable care despite the valiant effort by the government to provide almost free service. Notwithstanding, perhaps an equal portion of our dentists’ population is now also suffering due to the elimination of rampant tooth decay by widespread education, as is provided by this column.
The future and financial success of the profession is that supply of senior patients slowly decreases and disappears.
While the demand for restorative procedures may decrease, the supply of dental graduates is increasing. I believe that substantial decreases in fees will soon reach out to the enormous number of individuals who cannot now afford desired care.
The profession is now focusing on completion of cosmetic treatments. Artistic talent will always be required when the dentist takes out his high-speed drill. Combined efficiency of that instrument plus the options and permanence of new cosmetic products will hopefully ensure availability of affordable attractive smiles.
Those considering smile improvement will find that most, if not all, offices offer free cosmetic consultation. This is the case in the Unites States where, for example, only a few weeks ago I visited a colleague, Dr. Cook in Coral Gables, Florida, in which he confirmed it. Patients considering cosmetic improvements should prepare by studying the characteristic features that contribute to design of an attractive smile, features that vary only slightly. I refer to such a smile as a “classic smile”.
Accept that perfectly aligned and shaped anterior teeth may appear quite monotonous, uninteresting, without the all-important characteristic incisal-edge design. That biting edge of front teeth is critical to the character of an attractive smile. Proper tooth shape, size, and alignment are important, but the incisal edge that those teeth reveal is as cosmetically important as the smile’s other features. Shape and incisal edges of centrals and laterals furnish more character than do any other teeth. Length is best calculated by studying the existing centrals and the upper lip drawn to extreme by an exaggerated smile.
Features of the upper centrals, the two teeth at the middle of the dental arch, form a long contact as they meet, which contributes to their almost square shape. The adjacent teeth, the laterals, must also be a bit square. Only the canines (eye teeth) are roundish; it reveals a bolder look from its larger size and length. It extremely important how much longer centrals are than the laterals. The incisal edge of both must be flattish, not curved. The canine, a touch longer than the laterals, has an angled incisal edge that should be a touch rounded. A bit too long will furnish an undesirable Dracula-like look.
It might be best to request that your dentist who is being paid to do your smile makeover provides you with a few photos of before and after work he or she has done on previous patients and then compare their work with the tips I have given.

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