Golden Proportion in Teeth
Mathematical relationships between tooth widths that create visual harmony.
The golden proportion (1:0.618) has been applied to dental aesthetics as a guide for ideal tooth width relationships when viewed from the front. According to this principle, the visible width of the lateral incisor should be 62% of the central incisor, and the canine should be 62% of the lateral incisor. This creates a naturally diminishing progression from the center. However, research has shown that strict golden proportion is found in less than 17% of natural attractive smiles. The recurring esthetic dental (RED) proportion offers a more flexible approach, where each tooth consistently appears 80% the width of the tooth mesial to it. Modern cosmetic dentistry uses these proportions as guidelines rather than rigid rules, adapting to individual facial features and patient preferences.