Have you ever wondered what makes a smile beautiful? It’s not just the color of your teeth or the size of your mouth—it’s also got a lot to do with the structure of your smile.
It turns out that there’s a proportion that has fascinated mathematicians for thousands of years: 1:1.618, known as the Golden Ratio. This proportion is seen in some of the most beautiful things in nature. And now, dental technology makes it possible for us to achieve the ideal smile with golden ratio teeth! Read on to learn more.
What is the Golden Ratio?
The golden ratio, represented by the Greek letter phi (φ), is a pattern that serendipitously occurs in nature, from the spirals of sea shells to the branch veins of leaves.
The golden ratio is closely related to the Fibonacci sequence, an infinite series of numbers where each number equals the sum of the two previous numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on. When visualized, this sequence creates a perfectly balanced spiral pattern.
This pattern has been observed in many different areas, from the structure of architecture and art to musical pieces. And because there is no clear explanation as to why it is so prevalent, philosophers have speculated that the golden ratio is connected to the cosmic arrangement of the universe.
What makes the Golden Ratio so beautiful?
We’ve all heard the saying: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” But is there something about the golden ratio that makes objects in this proportion—just slightly asymmetrical—objectively more beautiful than the rest?
The answer may be rooted in our biology, according to Adrian Bejan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University. In 2009, Bejan explored how the golden ratio affects the way we perceive, understand and record images of moving animals. He proposes that it is much easier for our brains to register shapes in the golden proportion—and that’s why we find them so attractive.
“Shapes that resemble the golden ratio facilitate the scanning of images and their transmission through vision organs to the brain,” Bejan was quoted as saying in a Guardian feature. “When we see the proportions in the golden ratio, we are helped. We feel pleasure and we call it beauty.”
How does the Golden Ratio relate to the human body?
Since its discovery in Ancient Greece, the golden ratio has been used as the ideal standard for human beauty. It is also known as the “divine proportion” because people who conform to this standard are said to share the form of gods, perfectly balanced. But the golden ratio doesn’t just apply to your physique or facial structure—it can be applied to your smile, too.
The Golden Smile
To achieve a perfect appearance, the incisors and canines, which sit at the center of your smile, should follow the golden ratio as closely as possible. This alignment should be supported by the molars and premolars, which make up the rest of your teeth.
But achieving a golden smile isn’t just about having straight teeth; it’s also about balancing out your facial features. Your face has all sorts of proportions that work together to create a visual harmony that is pleasing to the eye.
Most of us aren’t born with golden body or facial proportions, and these features are hard to change without invasive procedures. Most of us aren’t born with perfect teeth either—but the good news is that it’s much easier to incorporate the golden ratio in your appearance through your smile.
What’s the best path to a Golden Smile?
When you ask your orthodontist about treatment to achieve golden teeth, you may be asked to choose from traditional metal braces or invisible braces that ALINA offers. You can reach the smile you want either way—but which method will work best for you?
Metal braces are the traditional method for correcting misaligned teeth. They use metal wires and brackets to apply constant pressure to close spaces between teeth. In terms of effectiveness, metal braces work better for treating moderate or severe cases of misalignment, including crowding, open bite, and spacing issues.
Most metal braces-wearers are able to achieve their ideal smile in 12 to 36 months, based on the severity of the misalignment.
Invisible brace are a newer option that uses clear plastic trays to gradually push teeth into position over time. These trays are comfortable for most users and can be removed easily when you want them off. They don’t obstruct your smile either—so you can wear them confidently no matter what else is going on. They are more effective for mild to moderate cases of misalignment.
With invisible braces, which are sometimes referred to as clear aligners, patients usually achieve their golden smile in 10 to 24 months. In very mild cases, optimal alignment can be achieved in as fast as 10 weeks, as long as the patient keeps their trays in for at least 22 hours a day.
If your case is moderate or cosmetic, invisible braces like ALINA may be a great option for you. Although the price of invisible braces can be steeper than that price of metal braces, many patients find that their benefits are worth the price.
Achieve Your Golden Smile with ALINA
These days, anyone can achieve a golden smile with their natural teeth. It takes just a few trips to the orthodontist and a good set of ALINA invisible braces. When you choose ALINA, you can enjoy:
Better materials – It’s only with ALINA that you can get perfectly clear and comfortable aligners made with FDA-approved, space-age materials.
Better technology – ALINA uses groundbreaking AlinaSmile technology powered by Ai to precisely align your smile with all your other facial features, in accordance with the golden ratio.
Better results – ALINA has over 25 years of expertise uncovering the most beautiful smiles for over a million happy patients across the US, UK, and Canada.
At ALINA, we always aim to uncover a smile that’s in perfect proportion and harmony with the rest of your facial features—because when you look your best, you can bring out your best self, too.
Learn more about our process and philosophy by visiting our how ALINA works pages.
If you’d like to bring out your golden smile, book a consult today.
