There is one overriding criteria when it comes to determining the attractiveness of a person’s smile – the dominance or size of a particular facial feature. As the mouth takes prominence in terms of facial features, it is the teeth (especially the central incisors in the front) that are largely on show.
Teeth-straightening procedures such as Invisalign in Sheffield is widely relied on for improving smiles, and in so doing, helps patients look better and feel better. This is not to mention the health benefits to gums and teeth.
Why a confident smile is so important?
Showing off a brilliant confident smile promotes trustworthiness and success in professional situations. In social contexts, smiling makes one appear more attractive, positive and friendly – attributes that help promote acceptance within society. According to Mind.org.uk feeling confident, having positive self-esteem and the ability to maintain positive healthy relationships with others is necessary for one’s mental well-being.
A person’s smile is intimately linked to all these well-being essentials. More than this, happiness is infectious and triggers the resulting ripple effect of similar positive emotions in others.
What is considered when evaluating smiles
Interestingly there are two main approaches to assessing a smile. The first is the emotional evaluation most commonly used by people. With the predominant influence of social media in society, more and more of the UK population are beginning to judge the look of their smiles by how they appear in selfies. The widespread access to selfies has seen a surge in demand for teeth-correcting procedures and estimated to have risen by as much as 30% as reported by dental clinics.
Relying on selfies to evaluate smiles is not reliable and reputable dental practitioners would advise against this. It is often found that phone cameras create distorted images. For patients concerned about their smiles, seeking a consultation with a dental practitioner is a more dependable method.
What does a dental professional then consider critical factors in the smile evaluation process? Here’s a look at some of the more influential factors that make up a great smile according to the dentist:
- Symmetry
The first factor a dentist will look at is the symmetry of a patient’s smile. The front central teeth should be proportionately balanced in terms of size and shape.
- Determining smile width
A smile should not be too narrow as this creates the perception of side teeth appearing in dark areas.
- Adequate gum display
An appealing smile needs to find the ideal balance that shows off just the right amount of the gums. Too much gum display produces what is referred to as a ‘gummy smile’ and too little makes teeth appear larger than they are. Gums also need to be healthy indicated by a light pink hue and no evidence of inflammation.
Once a dentist has conducted the assessment, and has deemed a need, they will recommend a suitable procedure – mainly using cosmetic procedures or restorative dental work. For cosmetic dental treatments to achieve best results a patient’s dental health needs to be in a positive state. To determine your oral health or if you are considering a cosmetic dental procedure, book an appointment by getting in touch with your dentist today.
