Day after day, we are visited by patients who want to know the same thing: Is it possible to achieve that picture-perfect smile if you do not already have it? Is extensive oral surgery required, or is it really all about what toothpaste you use?
The short answer is: Yes. How one goes about achieving the smile they’ve always wanted, however, varies from person to person.
Patients of ours are always surprised when they learn what brings out the best in their teeth and what brings out the worst, so we decided to devote some time to the topic of the fabled ‘Hollywood Smile’. What makes teeth shine? Are you stuck with the teeth you were born with? Will a missing molar impact the look of your incisors and premolars? Read on to find out!
The Science Behind the Hollywood Smile
Several years ago, there was a study carried out by researchers at Central Lancashire University and Leeds University. When shown images of men and women smiling, the volunteers selected those with evenly spaced and the whitest teeth as the most attractive.
The researchers inquired a little deeper into the reasons for this and concluded that human teeth are similar to a peacock’s tail, meaning they’re a sign of good health. For better or worse, that’s what comes to mind when we see an attractive smile.
But that’s not all we are seeing.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Smiles
When someone smiles, they radiate confidence, warmth, and self-esteem. These contagious qualities can brighten a room as much as any pearly set of teeth. When someone smiles, we’re seeing the best and brightest parts of someone—not just their teeth.
For many, though, the one thing that is keeping their smiles at bay is that their teeth don’t quite look how they want them to. They feel uncomfortable laughing in front of their friends and colleagues because they’re unhappy with crooked, damaged, missing, or stained teeth.
And when we say ‘many’, we mean many. A study conducted by Wakefield Research (commissioned by the American Association of Orthodontists) revealed that more than 33% of American adults are unhappy with their smile. Of that one-third, 36% believe they’d have a more fulfilling social life if their teeth were more beautiful.
What Constitutes the Picture-Perfect Smile
We all know a nice smile when we see it, but when asked what sets one smile apart from another, few people are really able to give detailed answers.
In the world of cosmetic dentistry, there is a set of criteria that periodontists and dentists adhere to when working with their client to create the perfect proportional smile.
If someone’s wonderful teeth strike us, the teeth typically adhere to several or all these criteria:
- Teeth aligned to the eye line
- Teeth on the left side should correspond to those on the right side, as well as top/bottom symmetry
- Edges of the teeth follow the curve of the bottom lip
- A gum line which follows the line of the upper lip
- Teeth with curved edges
- Crescent-shaped gums
- Proper tooth proportions
Is there any smile on earth that checks all these boxes? Not that we’ve seen. But what some might consider being imperfections aren’t imperfections at all. They’re the things that make every person and their smile unique and beautiful.
How to Get the Smile You Want
As we said, there is no one route to the perfect smile. Some people might be unable to remove the yellow stain from their teeth, while others might have crooked teeth that require braces or an OIR (Oral Invisible Retainer) to be straightened.
Here at the facilities of Dr. Suzanne Caudry, there are several procedures we can perform to give you a smile you’ve always wanted from dental crown lengthening to gum disease treatment, and more! For years, Dr. Caudry, Ph.D., DDS, MSc. has been at the forefront of her field. The goal of her practice is to provide exceptional treatment that incorporates her vast clinical experience with the latest developments in scientific research.
Dr. Caudry does more than just incorporate research into her practice. Actively involved in her own research, Dr. Caudry presents her findings at conferences around the world, helping to further the field of periodontics at large. Rest assured, when you’re in our care, you receive only the most cutting-edge treatment from the most caring and considerate staff.
What Dr. Suzanne Caudry Can Do for Your Smile: Crown Lengthening
Some feel self-conscious about their teeth because they appear to be ‘too short’. While some may informally call these baby teeth, there are many cases where the teeth have simply been worn down over time and need lengthening. In some cases, the teeth are simply covered by too much gum.
We can correct these minor issues with a cosmetic procedure known as crown lengthening. Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure where the bone and gums are shaped to create more proportional smiles.
How Long Does the Crown Lengthening Procedure Take?
Don’t worry, the wait for the perfect smile isn’t long. This procedure takes approximately one hour. When completed, sutures are placed on the gums.
Fill Out Your Smile with Dental Implants
If you’ve lost a tooth in an accident, or a decaying tooth has been extracted from your mouth, you might be feeling self-conscious about that less-than-toothy smile.
Dental implants succeed in replacing single, several, or all your teeth. Consisting of small titanium screws, an abutment, and a ceramic crown designed to look like a healthy proportioned tooth, dental implants are practical and long-lasting solutions for missing teeth.
One missing tooth, after all, can have negative impacts on your other teeth and your oral health. Even if you are missing a molar that is unnoticeable to the naked eye, that gap of space might cause your other teeth to shift, altering the smile you currently have!
Let Us Begin to Build Your New Smile Today!
If you have more questions, or you’d like to schedule a consultation, contact us at (416) 928-3444.