The Science of Dental Aesthetics
This page is for anyone curious about the science of dental aesthetics: how proportion, symmetry and tooth colour are studied. It introduces two pages: proportion and symmetry, and tooth colour. A 2022 systematic review found no study supporting one mathematical formula to predict aesthetic success; in a 2015 study of dental ceramic samples, the colour difference half of observers could see was smaller than the difference half judged unacceptable.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
This page is reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, the practice's principal dentist and a General Dental Practitioner (GDC 301711). His qualifications are BDS, BSc (Hons), MSc (Leeds), PG Dip Implant Dentistry and PG Cert Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry.
What does the dental aesthetics section cover?
This section covers the dental aesthetic principles used to describe how teeth and smiles look, and how tooth colour is measured. Those principles include proportion, symmetry, shade, texture and translucency. It does not explain individual treatments, how a treatment is planned, dental materials or costs.
Which pages does the dental aesthetics section hold?
This dental aesthetics section holds the two pages below.
Proportion and symmetry
A 2022 Journal of Prosthodontics systematic review found that tooth proportions varied substantially in natural teeth. Proportion and symmetry are explained on the page about what makes a smile look natural.
Tooth colour and how it is measured
In a 2015 study of dental ceramic samples, the colour difference half of 175 observers could see was smaller than the difference half judged unacceptable; thresholds varied by observer group and site. Colour has its own page about how tooth colour is measured and reproduced.
To ask about cosmetic dentistry, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
Which pages cover topics next to dental aesthetics?
Topics next to dental aesthetics have their own pages, so this section stays with principles such as proportion and shade.
How a tooth's enamel, dentine and pulp are arranged is explained in the general dentistry section.
The guide to cosmetic dentistry brings treatment options, planning, longevity and cost together.
How one cosmetic treatment compares with another is set out in the cosmetic comparisons section.
Planning a change for one person is a separate topic. The page on how we plan a smile sets out each step at Deepcar Dental Care, including a written plan before anything starts and a second consultation before you commit.
Cosmetic treatments offered at the practice are introduced on the main page about cosmetic dentistry at Deepcar Dental Care.
Frequently asked questions
Can research put numbers on what people find acceptable in a smile?
A 2016 systematic review concluded that it could, for the main features of a smile as laypeople judge them. Across 66 studies it identified threshold ranges such as 0 to 3 mm for a midline discrepancy. Its stated limitations were data too varied for a meta-analysis and missing information on sample selection and selective outcome reporting.
Do studies agree on how small a visible colour difference is in dentistry?
Not fully, according to a 2019 review in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. It found that differences in study design, such as the number of observers, the samples, the measuring instrument and the formulas used, contributed to inconsistent findings in some studies of colour thresholds for restorative dental materials.
Can a formula set the ideals of dental aesthetics?
A 2022 systematic review in the Journal of Prosthodontics concluded that general aesthetic ideals cannot be set by a mathematical formula for tooth proportions. It added that they are open to interpretation by both the clinician and the patient, although a golden percentage adjusted case by case may be a good starting point.
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You can call Deepcar Dental Care on 0114 288 2121, message the practice on WhatsApp on +44 7438 552581, or email [email protected].
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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Open 8am to 8pm, seven days
Free parking at the door