Often the first thing we hear during a consultation is “I just want straight teeth”. What people don’t realise is that ‘straight teeth’ is only a small aspect of what can be achieved with orthodontic treatment.
The concept of straight teeth has, for many patients been influenced by the so-called Hollywood Smile typified by perfectly straight teeth that for some may appear a little monochromatic and artificial, a bit like piano keys. For some patients, this might not be ideal and is a result that is often driven by the technical advancements in orthodontics. The reality is that orthodontics is as much art as it is science, and it only by combining the two that a natural smile can be created.
At MOG we believe in creating a natural smile – that is a harmonious balance between the jaws, nose, lips and teeth. Each patient is different, and each result is a resolution of all the contributory factors to create a customised smile that reflects the harmony of the integral parts. These concepts have been developed by such luminaries in the orthodontic profession such as Dr Didier Fillon in London who treated Kate Middleton and Dr David Sarver in Alabama who developed the concept of the smile arc.
The results of your treatment at MOG should reflect who you are and should meet your expectations of what you consider to be a natural smile. We achieve these results in the same way you might build a house – from the ground up. Just like an architect, we make a plan that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your x-rays, photographs and of course, your clinical examination. We start with the obvious prerequisites such as correcting the bite, establishing a balance between the jaws, and aligning the teeth.
Next, we focus on balancing the profile by positioning the teeth in the face to achieve a natural harmony between the nose, lips and chin. We then position the teeth vertically to harmonise with the lip line (smile arc).
Finally, we ‘detail’ your teeth to correct your bite, and establish contacts between teeth that enable them to function efficiently. The appearance of the front teeth is addressed to create a natural smile that Didier Fillon calls harmonious asymmetry – micro-rotations of the teeth to create a ‘natural look’. Sometimes we might reshape the teeth to achieve this result, and occasionally we will enlist the expertise of the dentist to address tooth size/shape issues to obtain the balance we are seeking.
Ultimately, the combination of both art and science will achieve a natural smile, and one without the other is unlikely to achieve the best results. At MOG we use the science and technology of orthodontics to reveal the art that is so important in creating a natural smile as individual as you are.
