An Analysis of Golden and RED Proportion in Aesthetic Smile: Prevalence and Application

Smile designing has long been considered a subjective art. Most of the aesthetic disciplines have prescribed proportions and ratios to improve aesthetics. A beautiful smile is the most striking feature on the face. However, beauty is not absolute and is extremely subjective. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of ‘Golden proportion and Recurring aesthetic dental proportion’ in individuals presenting attractive smiles. In this study, 214 smile photographs of students of SDM Dental College aged 18-25 years with natural dentition were analysed for their attractiveness based on 6 predetermined criteria. The subjects were induced to a spontaneous maximum open smile (smile displaying teeth). The smiles that fulfilled all the six criteria were then classified as aesthetic smiles and the rest as unpleasing or non-agreeable smiles. Further, smiles were digitally analysed to evaluate the prevalence of Golden Proportion and Recurring Aesthetic dental proportion (RED) and the obtained data was statistically analysed. The RED proportion was present in 6.6% of the population as opposed to the golden proportion which was found in 0.6% of the population. It was found that 70%RED was more prevalent than the Golden Proportion in attractive as well as unattractive smiles. Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that while restoring or replacing maxillary anterior teeth all proportions should be taken into consideration.