Esthetics in Complete Dentures

The application of the principles of beauty to natural or artificial teeth and restorations.

The effect of a dental prosthesis on the beauty, attractiveness, character, and dignity of an individual.

Factors related to the person wearing the denture, such as their sex, age, and personality.

How the denture teeth are positioned, including their individual arrangement and relation to each other.

The process of creating an accurate mold of the patient's mouth for the denture base, ensuring proper fit and stability.

The distance between the upper and lower jaws when the teeth are in a biting position.

The process of choosing the right shade, size, and shape of artificial teeth for the denture.

Incisal edges of central incisors are parallel to the lips, laterals sit above the occlusal plane. The distal surface of centrals is rotated posteriorly.

The process of carefully arranging the artificial teeth on the denture base to mimic a natural smile.

Mesial end of laterals is hidden by centrals, making canines prominent.

Only mesial thirds of canines are visible, rotated anteriorly.

Sagging cheeks and lower lips due to decreased muscle tone. Increase horizontal overlap to prevent cheek biting.

Inter-occlusal distance reduces, exposing more mandibular teeth.

Teeth are abraded, worn-out contacts. Contoured teeth can appear artificial.

Gingival recession can be reproduced in dentures for a natural appearance.

Select a less tapered mold with a long contact point to minimize gingival display when smiling.

The outward shape and form of a denture base, designed for optimal fit and comfort.

The color of the denture base, aiming to match the patient's gum tissue.

The process of adding unique features like markings, indentations, or color to a tooth or denture to enhance its natural appearance.

The size and shade of artificial teeth selected to match the patient's existing teeth or desired appearance.

The concept of incorporating age, sex, and personality into the esthetic planning of a denture.

The relationship between the upper and lower jaws, impacting denture fit and functionality.

The patient's overall physical appearance, influencing denture design choices.

How well the denture accommodates the patient's everyday functions like speaking and chewing.

The central incisors should be positioned to restore the philtrum, the vertical groove between the nose and the upper lip.

The central incisors should be positioned to restore the vermilion border, the line between the lip and skin.

When determining the height of the anterior teeth, consider the incisal points and the smile line. The height may vary depending on the patient's age.

The canine points should be positioned relative to the inter-alar width, the distance between the inner edges of the nostrils when smiling.

The canine points should be positioned relative to the pupils. It's essential to reference pre-extraction photographs for this.

When selecting the color for anterior teeth, show the patient a shade guide and narrow down the choices by comparing pairs of shades.

The size of the anterior teeth should be based on factors like the patient's face size, the amount of available space between the arches, the distance between the cuspid teeth, the length of the lip, and the size of the arches.

The shape of the anterior teeth should complement the patient's facial form, age, sex, and personality. Square molds suit large features, tapering molds suit long faces, and ovoid molds suit small, round faces.

The alignment of teeth in a denture, considering both function and aesthetics.

The front teeth should be visible when smiling, but not excessively.

The line formed by the upper teeth should be parallel to the line connecting the pupils.

The center of the denture teeth should align with the center of the face.

The labial frenum (a small fold of tissue above the lip) is not a reliable guide for midline placement.

The position of the tooth necks influences lip support. Setting them too far from the gum ridge can lead to instability.

Using biometric guides can improve aesthetics, but excessive tilting of teeth can cause denture instability.

Slight imperfections in tooth arrangement, like crowding, can make dentures look more natural.

The position of the incisal edges of the anterior teeth should not be perfectly aligned. Varying the vertical axes while maintaining balance between sides creates a more natural and pleasing appearance.

The lower anterior teeth are often more visible during function, making them a key factor in determining a person's smile. The same principles of naturalness and balance apply to their arrangement.

The vertical overlap refers to the extent to which the upper incisors cover the lower incisors. It influences the harmony and stability of the denture.

The horizontal overlap refers to the amount of horizontal overlap between the upper and lower incisors. It contributes to the aesthetic balance of the smile.

The inclination of the long axes of the anterior teeth, viewed from the front, impacts the overall appearance of the smile. It should be balanced between both sides for a harmonious result.

The incisal relationship refers to the alignment of the biting edges of the upper and lower incisors. It should match the patient's skeletal structure for stability and aesthetics.

The contour of the gingival margins, flange, and color are key aspects in creating a natural-looking denture. Reproducing these features enhances the overall aesthetic harmony.

The shape of the flange, which supports the denture, can be smooth or anatomically contoured. Anatomical contouring can be helpful for patients with a high smile line but may pose cleaning challenges.