Page 16 - Amazing Smiles

CHAPTER TWO figure 2
figure 3
better centered with the midline of the face or
centered with the bottom of the base of the nose
(figure 2)

Both situations can work on different people.
It’s up to patients to decide what better suits
them.

The interpupillary line connecting the
centers of the eyes establishes a reference point
for the horizontal center of the face. Other facial
features, including teeth, are balanced with it.
When viewed from the front of a face the horizontal
plane of the teeth line up parallel to this line. This
parallel alignment is known as the frontal view
occlusal plane or plane of occlusion of the teeth.
Many times the teeth are the correct shape, size
and color, but the plane of occlusion is off on one
side. The plane is either too high or too low, making
the teeth appear as though they are slanting or
running up hill or down hill when observed in a
mirror.

To achieve a well balanced looking smile,
any discrepancy between the occlusal plane and
the interpupillary line must be corrected as much
as possible. (figure 3)

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