Comparative evaluation of Golden dental proportion and recurring esthetic dental proportion (RED)

Abstract

Introduction. In order to understand the aesthetics in the dental practice and to determine some objective and universal proportions, which describe the size of the teeth, various studies have been conducted. The width ratio of the maxillary teeth is an important factor in dental and facial esthetics. It reveals objective data which is necessary in restorative treatment planning. The Golden proportion (1/1.618 or 62%) and the recurring esthetic dental proportion (RED) are two different theories that have been suggested to rehabilitate an optimal smile. Red proportion allows using individual proportion in different cases, as long as it remains consistent, proceeding distally in the arch. Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the Golden and RED proportions in physiologic permanent dentition. Materials and methods.. This study was conducted on 22 patients. Photographs of each patient’s maxillary model were taken from the frontal view in order to study apparent teeth width ratio. The perceived width ratios of lateral incisor to central incisor, canine to lateral incisor, first premolar to canine and second premolar to first premolar were calculated. In this study, the Golden proportion (62% or 0.62) was evaluated within the range of 59-65% (0.59 –0.65). To evaluate the RED proportion in each subject, these width ratios were compared. The differences of 3% (0,03) or less were accepted. Results. The Golden proportion was observed in 34% of the perceived width ratios of lateral incisor to central incisor, 0% of the width ratios of canine to lateral incisor, 36% of the width ratios of first premolar to canine and 18% of the width ratios of second premolar to first premolar. The average ratio value was 70%. The RED proportion existed in 16% (22 cases) of the width ratios comparisons (132 comparisons of 176 width ratios) with an average ratio value of 66% in these cases. Only 1 subject from 22 had on left maxillary hemiarch total RED proportion. Conclusions. The Golden proportion was observed predominantly in width ratios of lateral incisor to central incisor and width ratios of first premolar to canine. In most cases the widths of canines cannot be included in any proportions. These both proportions can be used in reconstructive treatment in maxillary arch, but in conformative treatment the use of fixed constant proportions is limited.