Page 14 - Amazing Smiles

CHAPTER TWO

Factors that Determine How Your Smile Looks

A great looking smile creates an
illusion of energy. While it
seems that people with attrac-
tive and alluring smiles all
have big, white, straight teeth,
closer examination reveals that
people with great looking
smiles do not necessarily have
the same perfect teeth.
Beautiful teeth come in a wide variety of shapes,
sizes, arrangements and colors that suit each
person’s face individually.

Like a fine oil painting, each smile is a
canvas containing the application of many
elements, and the relationship of these elements
to each other. As an artist combines elements to
create a painting that is pleasing to the eye, a
cosmetic dentist must similarly choose and
arrange elements for teeth that best fit the face of
that unique individual to produce the perfect
smile. Just like no two paintings are alike, no two
smiles are the same.

Many choices and variations must be consid-
ered in creating a beautiful smile. The patient’s
own perception of beauty must be taken into
consideration. By combining the art and science
of smile design with the patient’s desires, an
aesthetically pleasing smile can be created.
Although science dictates the methodology used,
the procedure is an artistic creation. The process
is a collaboration between doctor and patient.

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