An analysis of the aesthetic proportions of anterior maxillary teeth in a UK population

Introduction Many aesthetic proportions have been proposed for use in dentistry: Golden Proportion, Preston's Proportion, Recurrent Esthetic Dental (RED) Proportion and Golden Percentage. Although there have been studies to consider these proportions in other countries, there have been no studies in the UK to evaluate their prevalence and value. Methods The maxillary anterior teeth of 509 students from University of Birmingham's School of Dentistry were photographed in a standardised manner and the aesthetic proportions statistically analysed using an unpaired one-sample t-test. Results Golden Proportion existed in a very limited number of the sample. RED did not exist in the sample. The sample's average ratio was similar to Preston's Proportion; however, there was too wide a distribution for the proportion to be of relevant use. The vast majority of the sample conformed to modified Golden Percentage values; 22.5% for central incisors, 15% for lateral incisors and 12.5% for canines. Conclusion Golden Proportion, Preston's Proportion and RED Proportion have limited value in aesthetic dentistry as they do not accurately or broadly represent natural, aesthetic smiles. However, slightly modified Golden Percentage values are vastly more representative and are recommended as a more relevant geometric component to smile design principles in the UK.