Evaluation of A Balanced Smile - A Clinical Approach

Abstract

A beautiful smile has a tremendous impact on the perception of one's attractiveness and personality. A smile is a window through which people perceive the personality of an individual. The goal of enhancing patient's appearance requires knowledge of the fundamental concepts of art and beauty. Although ideal occlusion should certainly remain the primary functional goal of orthodontics, the esthetic outcome is also critical for patient satisfaction and therefore essential to the overall treatment objectives. The importance of an attractive smile is unquestionable. A pleasant smile is a composite outcome of structural & harmonious balance between various elements of face including harmonious relationship between teeth, gingival scaffold & the lip framework. The importance of physical and facial attractiveness has been related to initial impressions, social interactions, etc. The subject of smile should greatly interest orthodontists as it forms a key aspect of communication & expression of emotions. There shou ld be established criteria that identifies and quantifies elements of a smile that need correction and/or enhancement. Smile, Gingival scaffold, Lip framework.