Dental Proportion

The width of the central incisor is in golden proportion to the width of the latest incisor ( as seen from the front), which in turn is in golden proportion to the part of the canine that is visible from the front.

The dark space between the corners of the mouth and the outer surface of the canines during a smile (blue line 1.0) is called negative space. The negative space is in Golden Proportion with one half of the width of the upper anterior segment (blue line 1.618).

Even though the negative space escapes the attention of the public, it cannot be ignored. It creates a balance between cohesive and segregative forces in a smile and provides a harmonious relationship between the smile and other facial features. This example indicates that some fundamental principles are more easily perceived than others.

The presence of a lateral negative space gives depth and mystery to a smile, while its absence displays exuberance and brilliance paired with functional disturbances.