Evaluating and Establishing Ideal Smile Esthetics : Beauty is More than Skin Deep
Introduction

Many scientists agree that a smile can positively impact patients and those who interact with them. A smile is generally considered to be a key component of an individual’s attractiveness and, further, can positively impact social and psychological well-being. Evolving beauty standards as well as the impact of media and digital editing have thrust optimizing smile esthetics to the top of patient requests among dental procedures for many more patients. Combined with a decline in the incidence of dental caries in adults have resulted in overall increases in patient’s dissatisfaction with smile esthetics. The American Association of Orthodontists evaluated patient satisfaction with their smile esthetics and found that more than one-third of US adults are unhappy with the way that their smile looks.¹ They also found that 36% of those who were unhappy with their smile believe that improved smile esthetics would positively impact their social life.¹These impacts were more pronounced in younger individuals. 48% of younger Americans (18-24 years old) report that they have untagged a picture of themselves on social media due to a negative perception of their smile!¹

The three main components of the smile, the teeth, lips, and gingival scaffold, and their perceived harmony are the critical building blocks of a pleasing smile.² Factors associated with these three primary components that contribute to smile assessment include: 1) tooth width/height ratio, 2) tooth shape, 3) tooth position, 4) quality and color of restoration(s), 5) tooth alignment, 6) lip fullness and position, 7) buccal corridor display, 8) tooth display, and 9) gingival display.^3-5 The harmony and balance between these factors contribute to whether a smile is considered attractive or unattractive. This course will evaluate the current evidence regarding the perception of an esthetic smile and assess how the characteristics associated with smile esthetics and their interaction create ideal esthetics.