by Dr. Jason Olitsky
When evaluating the esthetic principles inherent to successful smile
design, there are 7 violations that are common and undermine the success
of the finished cosmetic case. Here’s one of my top clinical tips for
maximizing the outcome of your esthetic cases by instituting a knowledge
of radiating symmetry into your approach to cosmetic dentistry in the
practice.
Ensuring a “Happy” Smile
The second violation of smile design operates under the concept of a
radiating smile and the techniques inherent to creating that “happy”
smile rather than an esthetically “unhappy” one.
The best place to start when considering this aspect of smile design
is to remember the mantra, “A radiating smile requires radiating
symmetry.” If you can keep that at the forefront of your treatment
approach, the following techniques will enable successful cases.
To create radiating symmetry, you must first apply principles of
labiodental dynamics. The first step is to make sure that the incisal
edges of the maxillary anterior teeth follow the border of the lower
lip.
Depending on patient preference, you must determine the appropriate
shape of the line that blends into the posterior teeth, whether what
follows is an occlusal plane or Campers plane (from ala of the nose to
the tragus of the ear).
Here are the common differences between smile curves in patients with male versus female esthetic preferences:
- To create a masculine/older smile: straighter smile curves.
- To create a feminine/youthful smile: more convex curves.
The Danger of the Reverse Smile
When determining smile symmetry, it is crucial to recognize when an unesthetic incisal line occurs.
To correct this issue, you must analyze two different aspects:
- Tooth Lengths
- The Relationship of Tooth Lengths with Lip Dynamics
This kind of reference point when considering incisal edge positions
and correcting a concave smile curve can help you determine the
usefulness of either shortening canines or lengthening incisors.
It’s important to note that central incisor tooth display can vary
greatly from patient to patient, so it’s best to communicate final
incisal edge position with the laboratory before waxing.
Analyze the smile with Digital Smile Design techniques or direct
mock-ups. It can also be useful to make use of a face bow when working
with the technician. The combination of these techniques can result in a
smooth collaboration with the dental lab.
Look for the next 5 “Violations of Smile Design” on the blog in
our series by CMS educator Dr. Jason Olitsky, where he’ll discuss
concepts such as central incisors, negative space, and restorative
corrections.