Smile Arc
Smile Arc - a smile line planned consciously
A beautiful smile is not just about the symmetry and colour of your teeth. It's also about their length, shape and how they line up in the smile arc - the so-called "smile arc". Smile Arc. W UNIDENT UNION® We attach great importance to this detail, as it determines the naturalness, youthfulness and attractiveness of the entire smile. For us, Smile Arc management is fundamental to both orthodontic and prosthetic treatment.
What is Smile Arc and why is it so important?
The Smile Arc is a line that runs along the incisal edges of the upper teeth visible in the smile - from the ones, twos and canines to the side teeth. The perfect Smile Arc subtly follows the line of the lower lip, creating a harmonious, dynamic smile.
An overly flat Smile Arc will age the face and give the smile a hard, heavy character. Conversely, an overly convex arch in older patients introduces an unnatural, exaggerated effect. In addition, the Smile Arc varies according to gender - in women the arc is more pronouncedly curved, in men it is slightly flatter.
Therefore, in UNIDENT UNION® We design the Smile Arc individually, adapting its shape to the age, gender and facial features of the patient.
Smile Arc in orthodontic treatment
Extrusion, intrusion and incisor length management
When planning orthodontic treatment, one of the most important elements is the control of the length of the upper incisors. The possibility of lengthening (extrusion) or shortening (intrusion) them allows us to consciously manage the exposure of the teeth in the smile and shape the Smile Arc in relation to the lower lip accordingly.
Overly intruded incisors can flatten the smile arch and give an aged effect. On the other hand, properly elongated incisors, selected individually to the Patient's face, emphasise the curve of the smile and add lightness and naturalness.
Visualisations of the Smile Arc effect already during treatment
W UNIDENT UNION® we use mock-ups i orthodontic bondingwhich allows visualisation of the future effect of the Smile Arc already at the treatment stage. This gives the patient predictability and the dentist full control over the length of the incisors and their relationship to the lip.
Smile Arc in prosthetic treatment
Crown and bridge height design and smile line
In prosthetic treatment Smile Arc plays a key role when planning restorations - whether for all-ceramic crowns, veneers or restoring the height of the crown. Care is taken to ensure that the tooth margin line subtly follows the lower lip and the length of the crowns is harmonised in relation to the age and sex of the patient.
In younger patients Smile Arc is usually more convex, dynamic. In the older ones - the arc is naturally flattened, so we try to avoid an exaggerated curvature effect that could look artificial.
Modelling intercuspal angles - a key detail in prosthetics
In prosthodontics, we have full control over the shape and height of the intercuspal angles - the spaces between the tangent lines to the incisal edges of the teeth and lateral cusps.
- A high interdental angle between the ones causes an undesirable diastema effect, i.e. a gap between the teeth - so we always take care to close them properly.
- Desirable high interproximal angles occur between the two and the canine and in the lateral sections. High, pronounced angles in the lateral sections (i.e. the pointed cusps of the threes, fours and fives) give the smile lightness, youthfulness and natural chiaroscuro.
If the interproximal angles are too low or not distinct, this results in rectangular, 'merging' teeth - the so-called 'clumping' effect. winter fresh effectwhich makes the smile look unnatural, heavy, even artificial.
W UNIDENT UNION® we consciously design the tooth line and interval anglesto maintain a youthful, light and aesthetically pleasing Smile Arc.
Smile Arc - conscious planning, predictable effect
W UNIDENT UNION® Smile Arc is not an accidental result of treatment. We manage it from the outset - both orthodontically, by correcting tooth length and using bonding, and prosthetically, by precisely designing marginal lines and intercuspal angles.
This ensures that the smile is not only harmonious, but tailored to the age, gender and individual features of the patient. These are details such as Smile Arc determine whether a smile will look natural and timeless - and in the UNIDENT UNION® We do not leave it to chance.
