Page 15 - Amazing Smiles

figure 1 Factors that Determine How Your Smile Looks

That’s why it is absolutely essential that excellent
communication exists between the cosmetic
dentist and the patient in order for the process of
smile creation to be successful.

The average patient usually has little or no
knowledge about cosmetic dentistry. They may
know what they like or don’t like, but they don’t
know why nor do they have much of an under-
standing of the process to express how to achieve
what they desire. Here are the basics of cosmetic
dentistry in understanding teeth and the principles
that guide visual appearance.

Everyone possesses certain basic facial
characteristics. There are specific fundamentals
that apply to the human head. For example, the
human head is oval. The eyes are located on a
horizontal plane that bisects the head into two
halves; the upper half and the lower half (figure 1).

This bisecting line, called the interpupillary
line, connects the pupils of the eyes. The teeth
are parallel to this line. This parallel alignment of
teeth is referred to as the occlusal plane.

The most important vertical line on the face
is the midline, which divides the face vertically
into two halves. The center of the two front,
upper teeth (the upper incisors) most commonly
lines up with the midline of the face.

The nose plays an important part in the
creative decision making process. When the nose
is crooked or off to one side, the decision needs
to be made whether the center of the teeth look

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