The rule of golden proportions can be applied to the face and the appearance of the teeth when smiling. The closer a face or object is to the golden number 1.62, the more beautiful it is considered to be.
Mr Toby Talbot, Dental Restorative Specialist, BDS MSD (Univ of Washington) FDS RCS (Eng) and Mr Serryth Colbert Consultant Facial Plastic Surgeon MB BCH BAO, BDS, MSC (Oxon), MFDS (Eng), MRCS (Irl), MRCS (Edin), FRCS (OMFS), FFD (Irl) on THE COSMETIC SURGERY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY INTERFACE
What happens when we bring together two of the UK’s leading specialists for a conversation about a new field of rejuvenation? How to bridge two seemingly distant fields of expertise to deliver exceptional results. Procedures which are aesthetically pleasing, yet functionally optimal. Where art truly meets science? Minerva Health has challenged two of its dedicated specialists for a conversation about Plastic Surgery vs Aesthetic Dentistry, and how the two fields overlap to provide profound and lasting transformation. An interesting debate, elevating the art of aesthetics to encompass restorative dentistry as an integral part of facial rejuvenation. An interdisciplinary approach, all under one roof. A new and existing offering from Minerva Clinic Bath. Toby and Serryth explain.
THE GOLDEN RATIO OF BEAUTY
Toby: Proportionality and symmetry is the answer. The symmetry of the face can be measured according to a mathematically calculated formula. The simplest measurement is the length of the face divided by the widest part of the face. What is this ratio? Well to be exact, it is 1.6180339. This number, universally recognised as proportionately ideal, is usually rounded to 1.62. It is also known as phi ( ) in geometry and divine proportion. A formula which occurs naturally in life.
Serryth: Another popular measure of attractiveness, and which aids surgeons in cases of facial reconstruction and plastic surgery, is the rule of thirds. The front and side view of a face should be equally divided into thirds. The forehead from the hairline to the middle of the eyes. The midface from the bridge of the nose to the base of the nose. The lower face which makes up the base of the nose to the bottom of the chin. Toby: Teeth are a skeletal extension of the bones in the face. As teeth wear, or are lost, the jaws come closer together. The lower jaw moves upwards and forward, and the profile approaches an outline with a reduced lower face height. The reduced face height increases the appearance of ageing, with decreased lip-support and volume loss as a result, becoming thinner with the development of jowls at the angle of the jaws. A combination of restorative dentistry to bring back the height of the jaws will greatly improve the outcome of any upper and/or lower face lift surgery.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO SMILE DESIGN
Toby: Another issue often addressed in aesthetic dentistry is the classic case of exposed gums, also referred to as a gummy smile. Gummy smiles are associated with a prominent upper jaw in conjunction with a short upper lip. Serryth: In such cases, the surgeon will separate the upper jaw from the skull base, remove a wedge of bone, and move the teeth and bone upwards and behind the
upper lip. This will allow for the gums to become tucked out of sight. Prognathic or prominent lower jaws that grow in front of the upper jaw produces a menacing appearance. Images of the Hapsburg chin may be referenced. To some extent, this may be acceptable with the male but not with the female. Jaw surgery is often managed simply by sliding the lower jaw backwards and bringing the upper jaw forward. With males, the chin is often left alone, while in females, a chin can be moved back to provide a more feminine profile. Toby: Prominent upper front teeth, or bucked teeth, often associated with weak chins, may be managed with orthodontics but may require surgery to bring the lower jaw forward to improve the profile due to the underlying skeletal bone disharmony. Serryth: Jowls at the angle of the lower jaw reveal a loss of tone in the skin and are often associated with vertical banding in the neck. A lower face lift to tighten the skin of the neck and suspend the skin from around the jaws will restore the jaw line and rejuvenate the face. Toby: The “parrot face” associated with prominent upper front teeth in conjunction with a thin face and narrow arches of teeth, may be improved with bold orthodontics, whereby the upper jaw is forced apart by splitting the palate in the midline. Toby: Moving the bones around alone would be deskilling the operation of surgery to that of carpentry. What has to be understood is that the bones are influenced by the forces of the surrounding soft tissues. Serryth: Muscles are attached to the jaws. If the bones are simply moved alone, the muscles will simply pull everything back. When jaw surgery is performed, the muscles also require relocating and repositioned in their new positions to prevent relapse. Serryth: By combining each of our respective fields of expertise, we are able to deliver profound and lasting results. Considering the complex skeletal issues that we have just discussed, surgery may be required before commencing any