619-216-2807

The Anatomy of a “Perfect” Smile

Woman Holding a CameraYou’ve probably noticed that a friendly greeting (along with a bright smile) usually gets a smile in response! It’s a good feeling we humans are lucky to share. But, what exactly composes a fine smile?

What Makes Teeth Beautiful?

The Smile Line

There are dimensions to the ideal smile that dentists work to achieve. In youthful smiles, the curve of the upper lip follows the curve of the lower lip. When the biting edges of the lower teeth conform to the lower lip, it’s even more appealing.

Tooth Shape

Straight, uncrowded teeth make smiles come easier. Rough edges, chips, or anything asymmetrical is distracting. It is also typical for men’s teeth to be larger and more square, while women’s teeth (especially the incisors) tend to be smaller, more delicate, and more rounded.

Color

Everyone knows white teeth look good, but teeth can also be too white and appear unnatural, almost startling. Strong healthy teeth reflect the light through layers of dentin and enamel, and appear as more translucent ivory than truly “white”.

If you have problems with your smile—could it be better?—let us show you what might bring a little more perfection. With a variety of conservative cosmetic dentistry options (such as bonding, veneers, crowns, or teeth whitening), we can make it happen!

About Yuri Kaneda, DDS

Dr. Yuri Kaneda was born in Japan and immigrated to the US when she was 4 years old with her family. She lived in Ohio, Nebraska, and Illinois before finally settling in the San Diego area. A graduate of Bonita Vista High School, she went on to the University of California Berkeley where she obtained her Bachelors in Microbiology and Immunology. After working for 2 years in growth plate research at University of California San Diego, she went to the University of California San Francisco Dental School for her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Upon graduation, she returned to San Diego where she worked as an associate in the practice of Drs. Morimoto and Yaryan, her childhood dentist. She then started her own practice in 1995 and has been at her present location since 1999 which happens to be across the street from her high school!

, , ,