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The Importance of Incisor Positioning in The Esthetic Smile - The Smile Arc
The Importance of Incisor Positioning in The Esthetic Smile - The Smile Arc
The smile arc is defined as the relationship of the curvature of the incisal edges of the maxillary incisors and canines
to the curvature of the lower lip in the posed smile. The ideal smile arc has the maxillary incisal edge curvature
parallel to the curvature of the lower lip. Evaluation of anterior smile esthetics must include both static and dynamic
evaluations of profile, frontal, and 45 views to optimize both dental and facial appearance in orthodontic planning
and treatment. This article presents the concept of the smile arc and how it relates to orthodonticsfrom the
recognition of its importance, to its impact on orthodontic treatment planning, to how procedures and mechanics are
adapted to optimize the appearance of the smile. Three cases are used to illustrate how treatment is directed,
emphasizing how facial and smile goal setting go hand in hand. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;120:98-111)
T
he subject of the smile and facial animation as stages I and II, and Ackerman et al3 designated the
they relate to communication and expression of stage I smile as the posed smile and stage II as the
emotion is, and should be, of great interest to unposed (spontaneous) smile. The posed smile (Fig 1,
orthodontists. Although the English language is replete A) is voluntary and need not be elicited or accompanied
with words that conjure up images of specific types of by emotion. A posed smile is static in the sense that it
smilesinsipid, wry, sardonic, ironic, inscrutable, can be sustained. The lip animation is fairly repro-
infectious, warm, and enigmaticthese descriptions ducible, similar to the smile that may be rehearsed for
are entirely subjective. An attractive smile helps win photographs or school pictures.4,5
elections, and a beautiful smile sells products for com- The unposed smile (Fig 1, B) is involuntary and is
panies whose subliminal message in advertising is induced by joy or mirth. It is dynamic in the sense that
look better, feel younger. But even a well-treated it bursts forth but is not sustained. An unposed smile is
orthodontic case in which the plaster casts meet every natural in that it expresses authentic human emotion.
criterion of the American Board of Orthodontics for Lip elevation in the unposed smile is often more ani-
successful treatment may not produce an esthetic mated, as seen in the laughing smile, for example.
smile. In orthodontic smile analysis, we usually evaluate
Few objective criteria exist for assessing attributes the posed smile on the basis of 2 major characteristics:
of the smile, establishing lip-teeth relationships as the amount of incisor and gingival display and the
objectives of treatment, or measuring the soft tissue transverse dimension of the smile.
outcomes of treatment. It would be nice to have some Most orthodontists and dentists prefer that the ele-
sort of a tool to quantitatively assess beauty but, cur- vation of the lip for the posed smile stop at the gingival
rently, one does not existand it probably never will. margins of the maxillary incisors, as depicted in Figure
As a result, an eye for beauty is an important attribute 1, A. Some amount of gingival display is certainly
for an orthodontist. acceptable and, in many cases, is even esthetic and
When a patient looks in the mirror, the smile he or youthful appearing (Fig 2). Conversely, a complete
she sees is framed by what Lavater,1 more than 200 lack of gingival display (defined in terms of the per-
years ago, called the lip curtain and what is currently centage of incisor show on smile) is not as attractive as
called the soft tissue drape. Smiles can be either posed complete tooth display or even some gingival dis-
or spontaneous. Peck and Peck2 classified smiles as play.6,7 Males, as a group, show less of the maxillary
incisors and more of the mandibular incisors at rest and
Adjunct Professor, University of North Carolina, Department of Orthodontics, on smile than do females.8 It is a characteristic of aging
and in Private Practice, Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
Reprint requests to: David M. Sarver, 1705 Vestavia Parkway, Vestavia Hills, to show less of the maxillary incisors at rest and on
AL 35216; e-mail, [email protected]. smile, so that, to a degree, more tooth display is con-
Submitted, November 2000; revised and accepted, January 2001. sidered a more youthful smile.
Copyright 2001 by the American Association of Orthodontists.
0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/1/114301 The transverse dimension of the smile was first
doi:10.1067/mod.2001.114301 introduced in the prosthodontic literature by Frush and
98
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Sarver 99
Volume 120, Number 2
A B
Fig 3. A, Ideal smile arc is characterized by consonant relationship of arc formed by maxillary teeth
and lower lip on smile; B, nonconsonant, or flat, smile arc is characterized by maxillary incisal arc
line that is flatter than curvature of lower lip on smile.
dontists. Hulsey4 assessed standardized photographs of smile arc where it is appropriate. A set formula for
40 subjects, 20 treated orthodontically and 20 consid- bracket placement based on tooth measurements, as is
ered to have normal occlusion. He noted that the cur- often taught in orthodontic courses and programs, is
vature of the incisal edges of the maxillary anterior not appropriate for maximum esthetics. For example, if
teeth was flatter in those who were treated orthodonti- all patients routinely have their maxillary central
cally. A panel judged the smiles with flatter arcs as incisors placed 4.5 mm above the incisal edge, their lat-
being less attractive, confirming the hypothesis of eral incisors at 4 mm, and their canines at 5 mm, with-
Frush and Fisher.9 Zachrisson13 has made similar out the clinician taking into account the relationship of
observations that some treated smiles are less esthetic. the incisal edges to the lower lip curvature in each indi-
In a recent study, Ackerman et al3 evaluated the vidual case, the positioning may or may not fit the
smile arc in both treated and untreated patients in their esthetic criteria required. Just as patients get individu-
own practice. Almost 40% of the treated patients alized treatment plans, they also should have individu-
showed a discernible change in the smile arc; flattening alized designs for appliance placement.
of the smile arc occurred in 32%. In the untreated Bracket placement may unwittingly lead to supe-
group, 13% had a change in the smile arc, and flatten- rior repositioning of the incisal edges relative to the
ing of the arc occurred in only 5%. They noted no gen- posterior buccal segment heights. For example, with
der differences in the smile characteristics when the our emphasis on the goal of attaining canine guidance,
treated and untreated groups were compared.3 it is possible that we are creating relative intrusion of
Smile arc flattening during orthodontic treatment the maxillary incisors while extruding the maxillary
can occur in several ways. Normal orthodontic align- canines. The 14-year-old patient in Figure 4, A, has a
ment of the maxillary and mandibular arches may nonconsonant smile arc with 80% of the maxillary
result in a loss of the curvature of the maxillary incisors incisors displayed on smile. While canine guidance has
relative to the lower lip curvature. In case evaluation, it been emphasized in this case, it may be at the expense
is important to assess and visualize the incisor-smile of the appearance of the smile. Another possibility
arc relationships and place brackets so as to extrude the arises when lower bracket placement in the same
maxillary incisors in flat smiles and to maintain the patient is evaluated (Fig 4, B). Note that the mandibu-
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Sarver 101
Volume 120, Number 2
A B C
Fig 5. A, This patients profile was characterized by deficient mandibular height, in both horizontal
projection and vertical height; B, patient had short lower facial height with everted lower lip; C,
approximately 80% of maxillary incisor showed on smile; with further maturation and aging, this
amount of tooth show is expected to decrease.
A B
C D
Fig 8. A, Final profile reflected vast improvement of lower facial projection and increase in facial height;
B, final frontal picture demonstrates significant increase in lower facial height; C, on smile, all maxillary
teeth show, with beautiful smile vertically, as well as ideal smile arc relationship; D, 45 view clearly
shows excellent smile arc relationship as well as improved submental and submandibular soft tissue.
2. Short lower facial height, a problem for both pro- The major treatment challenge in this case was that
file and frontal relationships; several changes to correct the open bite and the Class
3. Maxillary anterior dental spacing; II relationships would also tend to exacerbate esthetic
4. Lack of incisor show at rest and on smile; problems. We very rarely see an anterior open bite in a
5. Flat smile arc. short-faced patient, and the orthopedic forces used to
104 Sarver American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
August 2001
A B
Fig 14. A, Frontal view shows beautiful smile with excellent incisor display; B, 45 view shows con-
sonance of maxillary anterior dental curvature with curvature of lower lip.
A B C
Fig 17. A, Profile exhibited strong lower face, with lower lip more prominent than upper lip; B, lower
facial height was long with disproportionately long chin; upper lip comprised only 25% of lower facial
vertical third, and lower lip and chin comprised 75%; C, on smile, there was slightly more gingival
display in posterior aspect of smile than in anterior display. Posterior maxilla was tilted with moder-
ate posterior cant that contributed to flat smile arc relative to curvature of lower lip.
A B
Fig 19. A, After maxillomandibular surgery and clockwise occlusal plane rotation with rhinoplasty
and vertical genioplasty, profile was improved in facial height, nasal form, and lip balance; B, 45
view reflects contribution of advancement of maxilla and change in upper lip projection relative to
lower lip, along with refinement of midface by means of rhinoplasty.
of the maxillary anterior dental curvature with the cur- mandibular reduction at age 24. She was seeking fur-
vature of the lower lip (Fig 14, B). The final dental ther treatment because she felt she had not attained the
result was good, both functionally and esthetically, esthetic benefit of treatment that she desired. A sys-
with alignment and bite opening achieved (Fig 15). The tematic evaluation included the profile, frontal at rest,
overall cephalometric superimposition shows that the frontal on smile, and dental relationships.
maxillary incisors and molars remained virtually Profile. The profile problem list was characterized
unchanged vertically, whereas the mandibular incisors by a nasal tip that was slightly over-projected and
were tipped facially (Fig 16). This produced more located more inferiorly than was desirable (Fig 17, A).
lower lip fullness and resulted in a more inferior posi- The nasolabial angle was slightly acute because of low
tion of the incisal tip. This was not true intrusion but it nasal tip placement. The upper lip was not as procum-
did have the effect of opening the bite. bent as the lower lip, and the mandible was slightly
Obviously, this patient could have been treated in a ahead of the maxilla.
number of ways and maintained her attractive appear- Frontal at rest. The lower facial height was long
ance. But attention to maintaining her existing incisor- with a disproportionately long chin (Fig 17, B). The
to-lip relationship, so that the orthodontic mechanics did upper lip comprised only 25% of the lower facial ver-
not alter the smile arc, enhanced the esthetic outcome. tical third, while the lower lip and chin comprised 75%
of the lower facial height (a 1:2 ratio is more esthetic).
Case 3 Nasal width was slightly narrower than the intercanthal
This 28-year-old patient had a history that included width, and the vermilion show of the upper lip was
orthodontic treatment as an adolescent with 4 premolar slightly less than that of the lower lip.
extractions, followed by an unfortunate period of Class Frontal on smile. On smile, the transverse smile
III growth. She underwent orthodontic retreatment with relationships were quite good, and the amount of gin-
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Sarver 109
Volume 120, Number 2
Fig 20. A, Final frontal picture characterized by slightly wider nose; vertical facial proportionality
improved significantly by shortening of chin height; B, smile relationship was changed with elimina-
tion of posterior gingival display. Consonance of occlusal plane and lip line improved dramatically by
means of surgically tilting palatal plane.
gival display in the upper central area was excellent The frontal facial relationships and the treatment of
(Fig 17, C). However, there was slightly more gingival the smile line virtually dictated the rest of the ortho-
display in the posterior aspect of the smile than the dontic and orthognathic treatment plan. Because of the
anterior display. The posterior maxilla was tilted with a posterior gingival display and the flatness of the smile
moderate posterior cant that contributed to a flat smile arc, posterior maxillary impaction was recommended
arc relative to the curvature of the lower lip. to reduce posterior gingival display and tip the occlusal
Dental relationships. The occlusal relationships plane clockwise. This movement would improve the
were excellent. However, some dental compensation posterior smile line and, at the same time, tip the max-
(uprightness of the mandibular incisors) was still pres- illa so that the incisal alignment is more consonant
ent (Fig 18). with the lower lip, resulting in a better smile arc.
The observations outlined above can be broken The profile would be favorably affected by the
down into treatment options, starting from superior to clockwise occlusal plane rotation. Because of the tip to
inferior: the maxilla, the anterior nasal spine would travel for-
1. Nasal overprojection. Consider rhinoplasty for ward when the anterior tip of the maxilla is performed
reduction of tip projection, as well as rotation of surgically, and some maxillary advancement could also
the tip more superiorly to improve the nasolabial be performed. Then the mandible would necessarily be
angle. repositioned surgically to rotate it in a clockwise fash-
2. Retrusive upper lip relative to lower lip. Although ion to compensate for the changed palatal plane. This,
movement of the lower lip back is an option, this in essence, would rotate the mandible back, while the
would tend to flatten the profile, and 2 mandibular maxilla travels forward.18,19 The posterior maxillary
premolars had already been removed. Maxillary impaction would also upright the flared maxillary
advancement might be considered, but was con- incisors relative to the upper face. Vertical chin reduc-
traindicated because of the existing Class I occlusion. tion was also recommended as part of the treatment
3. Maxillary lip augmentation with rhinoplasty. This plan. Recall that the vertical proportions of the lower
is an option but is unpredictable. face were less than ideal, with the upper lip represent-
110 Sarver American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
August 2001
ing 25% of the facial height and the lower lip and chin
75%, as compared with the one thirdtotwo thirds
ideal. Therefore, a wedge genioplasty was planned to
shorten the lower facial height.
The surgical plan summary was as follows:
1. Maxillomandibular surgery to rotate the occlusal Fig 22. Cephalometric superimposition reflects clock-
plane and lower face in a clockwise fashion was wise rotation of occlusal plane by means of posterior
chosen. The point of rotation was planned to be at maxillary impaction and saggital split osteotomy.
the incisal edge, with the posterior maxilla going
up approximately 3 mm (the amount of gingival
display measured on smile) and no anterior bution of the advancement of the maxilla and the
impaction because the incisor-to-lip relationships change in upper lip projection relative to the lower lip
were ideal. Rotation around the incisal edge to and, again, the refinement of the midface with rhino-
bring the upper part of the maxilla forward was plasty.
designed to improve lip projection and widen the The final frontal picture (Fig 20, A) is characterized
slightly narrow nose. The mandibular procedure by a slightly wider nose, and the vertical facial propor-
would rotate the mandible in a clockwise fashion tionality improved significantly by the shortening of
and thus reduce mandibular projection and bal- the chin height. Finally, Figure 20, B, represents the
ance the lower lip with the upper lip. change in the smile relationships, with the posterior
2. Adjunctive and simultaneous rhinoplasty would gingival display eliminated. The consonance of the
be performed to elevate the nasal tip and reduce occlusal plane and the lip line was improved dramati-
projection. No effort was made to control nasal cally.
width because a wider nose was desired. The limiting constraint in this case was the contour
3. Vertical genioplasty with wedge reduction to of the lower lip in relation to the smile arc. For this
reduce the chin height and normalize facial patient, surgery was the only option that could change
heights was planned. these relationships. The final occlusal relationship is
Figure 19, A, represents the finished profile. The shown in Figure 21.
elevation of the nasal tip and the elegance provided by The cephalometric superimposition (Fig 22)
the rhinoplasty dramatically improved the appearance reflects the clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane by
of the midface. Also note the improved relationship of means of posterior maxillary impaction and saggital
the upper lip to the lower lip, and the increased vermil- split osteotomy. Note that the maxillary incisor posi-
ion show in the upper lip. The reduction in chin height tion was maintained vertically and horizontally while
improved the vertical facial proportionality, but also the palatal plane rotated around the incisal edge, which
deepened the labiomental sulcus, which was flatter in resulted in advancement of the superior portion of the
the preoperative picture. It is important to look at the maxilla and more upper lip and midfacial fullness. The
patient at a 45 angle (Fig 19, B) and note the contri- clockwise rotation of the mandible resulted in less
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Sarver 111
Volume 120, Number 2
emphasis in mandibular projection as well, all of which and smile hard and soft tissue characteristics. World J Orthod.
(with vertical chin reduction) resulted in a superior In press 2001.
facial result as well as superior smile esthetics. 8. Vig RG, Brundel GC. Kinetics of anterior tooth display. J Pros-
thet Dent 1978;39:502-4.
CONCLUSIONS 9. Frush JO, Fisher RD. The dysesthetic interpretation of the den-
togenic concept. J Prosthet Dent 1958;8:558.
The concept of the smile arc is not a new one, as the 10. Ackerman, M. The effect of maxillary position on anterior tooth
literature review has shown. Clearly, its impact on the display [thesis]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester;
final facial and smile appearance can be quite dramatic. 2000.
11. Sarver DM. The face as determinant of treatment choice. In:
This demands that we rethink some of our orthodontic Frontiers of dental and facial esthetics. Craniofacial Growth
mechanics and concepts of treatment to consistently Series, Center for Human Growth and Development. Ann Arbor:
build this factor into our diagnostic, treatment plan- University of Michigan; 2001. Vol 38, p. 19-54.
ning, and treatment regimens. 12. Goldstein RE. Change your smile. 3rd ed. Carol Stream (Ill):
Quintessence Publishing; 1997.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr 13. Zachrisson BU. Esthetic factors involved in anterior tooth dis-
Jim Ackerman of Bryn Mawr, Pa, in the development play and the smile; vertical dimension. J Clin Orthod 1998;
of this article. 32:432-45.
14. Sarver DM, Ackerman JP, Proffit WR. Diagnosis and treatment
planning in orthodonticsthe modern soft tissue paradigm. In:
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