Believe it or not, the first thing people notice when they see you is your smile! This has been confirmed in study after study. You never get a chance to make another first impression. First impressions are formed in 30 seconds! Again, many studies have documented this. What if people could form their first impression of you from 100 yards away? Yes! 100 yards away! People with average vision can tell if you are smiling from 100 yards away! Seems impossible, doesnt it? Well, that is a confirmed fact!
What kind of first impression does your smile make?
What are the parameters of an ideal, pleasing smile?
Pleasing smiles have a smile line that either parallels or is touching just above the lower lip. This means that when a person is smiling, there is no tooth overlapping the lip, or no space between the teeth and lip.
The amount of tooth that is displayed is appropriate and maximized. This means that the space between the lips is filled with tooth structure, not gums or empty space. The negative or “black” space towards the back of the mouth is minimal and appropriate. When smiling fully, the upper lip touches the tops of the teeth. In other words, there is not excess “gummy” tissue showing above the teeth.
As far as the arrangement of teeth goes, the arches are symmetrically curved, with no misalignment, no overlapping, no twisting or rotations, no spaces, and a white, radiant color.
Wow! This seems like a lot, doesnt it? How does your smile compare? Does your smile make an impression from 100 yards away? If you feel something might be lacking, modern dental techniques make it possible to own the smile you have always wanted. In future articles, we will discuss some of the options you have for improving your smile. In the meantime, if you have questions about this or any other dental matters, don’t hesitate to ask. Your smile is worth it!
