An analysis of maxillary anterior teeth dimensions for the existence of golden proportion in the representative North Indian population

Context

Esthetic appearance of the face is a major concern in self-image among the majority of the population. The dimensions, anatomy, and arrangement of maxillary anterior are the key factors in the esthetic appearance of the face.

Aim

The present study aimed to measure the mesiodistal dimensions of maxillary anterior teeth and analyzing the golden proportion in the representative North Indian population.

Materials and Methods

Subjects were seated in the upright position in a dental clinical chair. A digital Vernier caliper was used to record the mesiodistal dimensions of central incisors (CIs), lateral incisor (LI), and canine (C) teeth in maximum smile position. A total of three sets of recordings were made by a single observer to avoid the measurement bias of both left and right sides of teeth. Digital images were also captured. Obtained measurements were used for the calculation of ratios and statistical analysis was done.

Results

The prevalence of golden ratio between right CI/LI was observed in 3.1% males and 3.2% females. The calculated median ratio was 1.2 for males and 1.3 for females which differs significantly (P > 0.05) from the golden ratio. The divine proportion between visible portion of right C/LI was seen in 39.5% males and 32.3% females with calculated median value for males being 0.6 and that for females was 0.7.

Conclusion

The prevalence of golden proportion between the CI/LI in esthetically pleasing smiles was too small (mean-3.9 in males and 2.75 in females) while the golden ratio of 0.6 was found in the majority of the population irrespective of the gender.

The golden ratio-dispelling the myth

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this article is to explore the claims often cited in scientific journals regarding the golden ratio, and its proposed link to beauty and idealized forms in nature, including idealized human proportions.

MAIN BODY

Claims made in the nineteenth century through to the modern day in the clinical literature do not appear to be supported by evidence.

SHORT CONCLUSIONS

There is no convincing evidence that the golden ratio is linked to idealized human proportions or facial beauty. There is currently no evidence to support the use of the golden ratio in orthognathic or facial aesthetic/reconstructive surgical planning or analysis of results.

Vertical and horizontal proportions of the face and their correlation to phi in a South Indian population

Background

With the shift in focus from the hard to soft tissue in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, the scope of orthodontic treatment has grown beyond achieving an ideal occlusion, also to achieve ideal aesthetic facial proportions. Since time immemorial, the various horizontal and vertical proportions of an ideal face is considered to follow the golden/divine ratio.

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess the vertical and horizontal proportions of the face and their relation of phi in males and females of Dakshina Kannada population.

Materials and Methods

The study was carried out on 100 subjects, which included 50 males and 50 females, aged between 18 and 30 years. Photographs were taken under standardized condition and adjusted to a standardized image size (5″ × 4″). Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 software was used for making all the measurements. A total of 11 vertical and horizontal ratios were independently measured for males and females, and their relation to phi was assessed. The data were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk test for testing the normality. Homogeneity of variance assumption was tested by using Levene statistic homogeneity of variance. One sample t test was used for the comparison between phi and mean vertical and horizontal ratios in males and females.

Results

In males and females of the Dakshina Kannada, a statistically significant correlation was seen between all the horizontal and vertical facial proportions and phi (p < 0.05). Between male and female groups, a significant difference was noted in the intertemporal/intercanthal ratio, interalae/nose width and Intereye-soft menton/ala-soft menton (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Golden proportion can be used as a guideline in orthodontic treatment planning. However, it should not be the decisive factor in determining the facial attractiveness.

Pentagon Inside the Circle of Willis and the Golden Ratio

The Golden ratio ("phi" or "Ф") has been known to us for ages and its use in art and architectural designs has enhanced its exquisiteness. Even some of the astounding creations of nature do follow this principle of Golden or divine proportions. Three centuries ago the circle of Willis at the base of the brain was first described and illustrated by Thomas Willis. Classically it was described as being circular in shape, however, the gross anatomy reveals a slightly different picture. The components of this complex neurovascular structure are so arranged that it appears more like a pentagon than a circle. A regular pentagon, unlike a circle, is a Golden shape that mathematically obeys the laws of Golden proportions. Like most other marvelous structures in nature, the close resemblance of the circle of Willis to a pentagon is more of a conscious effort of nature to establish consonance with aesthetic perception, rather than just a mere coincidence.

Effects of malocclusions on facial attractiveness and their correlations with the divine proportion

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of malocclusions on facial attractiveness and to determine if it was correlated with the divine proportion.

METHODS

Standard frontal facial photos were taken from 335 subjects in natural head position. Facial attractiveness of the subjects was evaluated by 10 dental students using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). All of the evaluations were arranged in order, and 30 attractive subjects with the highest score and 30 nonattractive subjects having the lowest score were chosen. On the frontal photos of these subjects, 13 landmarks were determined and 12 ratios were measured. Two way ANOVA was used to determine the effects of malocclusions on facial attractiveness, Student's t test was used to compare the facial proportions of the attractive and nonattractive subjects, and one sample t test was used to define the relationships between the divine proportion and facial ratios.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found between malocclusion groups in terms of facial attractiveness. Of the 12 facial ratios, significant differences were found between attractive and nonattractive subjects regarding trichion-menton/nasion-menton, subnasale-menton/stomion-menton, nasion-subnasale/stomion-menton, nasion-subnasale/nasal width, and trichion-menton/right-left frontotemporale ratios. All of the ratios except nasion-subnasale/stomion-menton in the attractive group and subnasale-menton/stomion-menton and nasion-menton/nasion-trichion in the nonattractive group were found to be different from the divine proportion.

CONCLUSIONS

Sagittal skeletal malocclusions evaluated by ANB angle are not effective on facial attractiveness. Facial ratios used in this study have little effect on attractiveness, and are different from the divine proportion.

Evaluation of facial divine proportion in North Indian Population

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the facial divine proportion and its relationship with facial attractiveness in North Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For evaluation of various facial proportions, standardized frontal facial photographs of total 300 subjects between 18 and 30 years of age were obtained. Black and white copies of these photographs were presented in front of an evaluation jury for assigning scores of facial attractiveness and finally 130 attractive subjects were selected. These subjects were divided into two groups, Group I (attractive females n = 65) and Group II (attractive males n = 65) and they were further analyzed for various parameters of facial proportions. Unpaired Student's t-test was used to compare both groups.

RESULTS

Group I showed that five of seven vertical facial proportions were close to divine proportion (1.618) whereas only two vertical proportions in Group II were close to it. Transverse facial proportions in both groups deviated more from divine proportion (1.618) and were closer to silver proportion (1.414).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the facial proportions of attractive females in the North-Indian population were close to the divine proportion. Thus, facial divine proportion could be an important factor in the perception of facial attractiveness of North-Indian attractive females.