Imagine being able to design what your smile looks like. It’s an opportunity that comes with a cost, just like any cosmetic surgical procedure. When choosing to undergo a multiple-tooth operation, a cosmetic dentist usually offers a smile consultation.
Cosmetic dentists have a different set of priorities than those of a general dentist. The patient is electing to have surgery, usually to improve the appearance of their teeth and smile in some way. Perhaps their teeth are unsatisfactorily small, or spaced apart unevenly, missing altogether, or just discolored. The success of the surgery depends on what the patient thinks—are they satisfied with their new smile? Then, great! It was a success. Not so much? Then the surgery has been a failure, and the dentist is usually to blame.
For these reasons, a consultation is an essential part of the procedure. There are a few ways a patient and doctor come to a decision as to what their new smile should look like. The patient can choose to bring in a photograph, or perhaps just describe what change they want made to their teeth.
One dentist in Manhattan, Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, has his own method for a successful smile consultation. He has categorized the ‘three types of smiles’ for his patients to choose from: the Sexy Smile, the Sophisticated Smile, and the Sporty Smile.
This isn’t your typical categorization of the wide-eyed smile, crooked smile, close-lipped smile, etc…those are types of smiles that involve your whole face. These, on the other hand, are strictly according to the shape, color, and alignment of your teeth:
The Sexy Smile
What defines the ‘sexy smile’ is having your front two teeth (central incisors) longer than the rest of your teeth. Though the logic behind it might seem a bit silly, it is deemed a sexy smile because the front two teeth are usually the longest when they first come in after your baby teeth before they are ground down over time. Thus, longer front teeth are associated with youth, warmth and thus sex appeal.
This is a good smile to choose if you have an attractive nose, sharp chin, and prominent lips, as the longer incisors draw attention to those areas of the face. Also, if you want to appear younger, longer central incisors are recommended.
The Sophisticated Smile
In contrast with the sexy smile, a ‘sophisticated smile’ is defined by your teeth having a straight, horizontal line going across. In other words, all of your teeth are the same length. This first and foremost conveys age, as your teeth have had time to grind down, and thus maturity and wisdom.
This type of smile emphasizes the width of the lower face. It’s a good choice for those with heart-shaped or long faces who need their visage to appear more oval. On the other hand, it may not work for those with a square or round shaped face.
The Sporty Smile
This name is deceiving—is it a smile athletes found on athlete? How is it sporty? Truthfully, the name doesn’t mean much, but this is the ideal option for those torn in-between the sexy and sophisticated smile. The central incisors are just slightly longer than the rest of the tooth line, conveying youth and maturity at the same time. It’s warm, casual, and informal all at once without appearing to be too childlike.
This is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to go too extreme in either direction.
Want to make a change to your smile? Our office offers a combination of dental bridges, porcelain veneers, dental implants, or dentures that can change the appearance of anyone’s smile design. Call us together for your smile consultation! Or, leave some feedback below!
