Violations of Smile Design #3: The Social Six
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 natural smile progression into your approach to cosmetic dentistry in the practice.
Making Esthetic Changes
To create a genuine looking smile during esthetic changes, the best approach is to consider how to avoid creating a contrast between the color and shape of the anterior and posterior teeth.
There are a few key dentolabial dynamics that can contribute to a smile that doesn’t appear fake.
Smile Width
The smile width, a crucial dentolabial dynamics relationship, indicates that a smile will commonly include 10-12 maxillary teeth. As a result, when determining the restorative corrections to make to the smile, much more needs to be taken into account than solely the anterior 6 teeth.
Pre-treatment photos can be great during the evaluation process. Use them to assess front and lateral smile views and to determine how the patient’s smile appears from the side and the front.
Buccal Corridor
Either too much or too little space between the buccal aspects of the teeth and cheek can make or break the success of a smile.
Too much space:
The result of treating only the front six teeth can often be a narrow smile, which is accentuated by an over emphasis on the treated teeth. This will create an artificial look to the smile and can be remedied by referring to the natural smile progression from anterior to posterior teeth.
Too little space:
On the other hand, too little space can contribute to a denture-like look when the buccal aspects of the posterior teeth are brightened during the restoration. Balance is the key.
Again, evaluating photos of the patient’s smile is essential to dealing with potential problems endemic to the buccal corridor. If the pictures show a narrow smile or an issue with the color and contour of existing posterior teeth, then the problem can be recognized and remedied.
Bonus Tip:
Evaluate the relationship between the occlusal and incisal planes to further correct any esthetic shortcomings.
Most of all, make sure to provide the patient with an understanding of the importance of addressing issues in the whole smile rather than just the anterior teeth. Case fees to improve the smile are a great option for the patient to consider.
Check out the first two violations of smile design, including “A Crooked Smile” and “The Reverse Smile” to elevate your learning.
Look for the next 4 “Violations of Smile Design” on the blog in our series by CMS educator Dr. Jason Olitsky, where he’ll discuss concepts such as overcontoured teeth, negative space, and gum symmetry.
