The 21 Principles of Smile Design

Your Guide to a More Attractive Confident Smile

by Dr. Aziza Askari FAGD, MBA
248-474-6434 • ComfortDentalSpa.com
The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

M odern Cosmetic Dentistry and the advent of new materials and

techniques have transformed the way people think about their
smiles and each other. Smiles convey warmth, confidence, social status
and career success. Best of all, smiles help you feel good about yourself.

Today you can trust your smile to a new brand of cosmetic dentist - an
artist who understands exactly what you want in a smile, why you wear
it as your most important accessory, and how to protect it through the
ages. As one of this regions’ most celebrated cosmetic dentists, Dr. Aziza
Askari gives you the warmth, experience, and passion that you want and
deserve in a good cosmetic dentist.

Nothing compares to a confident attractive smile. It’s there when you

laugh, when you greet, say thank you, or express a happy thought. Your
smile is your most important social bonding gesture, and your most
important professional announcement - it tells others who you are. In
short, your smile sells you!

Give your smile that Picture Perfect look of confidence, beauty and
health - because when you feel good about yourself, people are naturally
attracted to that!

Give your smile that Picture Perfect look of...

Confidence, Beauty and Health!

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
The Principles
of Smile Design
How to Have an
Attractive Smile
T hey say you shouldn’t judge
a book by its cover - but we
all do! One of the first judgments
we make with people is how they
smile and how confident they are.
In fact it’s difficult to not form an
immediate opinion about someone
based on their smile. Smiles say
a lot about who a person is, how
confident they are, and even how
successful they are. Like beauty, a
smile is more than skin deep and
your face seems to know if your
smile feels confident or not.
Just what makes an attractive
smile? Why do some smiles exude
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confidence and look naturally
beautiful, while others look plain
and average? How can teeth make
one person look older and another
person look younger? What makes
one person’s smile a loser while
another person’s smile a real
winner - that helps them do more
business, make more sales, and
have more friends? And finally,
why do some smiles convey a
careless disregard for health and
self-respect?
The 21 Principles of Smile Design
While most people don’t know exactly what constitutes a nice smile, most
will recognize a nice smile when they see one. While nature has been kind
to some, others aren’t so lucky. Fortunately we now understand these
principles of nature and exactly what makes a nice looking smile look nice.
We call these principles the “Principles of Smile Design”.
These rules or principles dictate whether a smile is attractive, average, or
awful. Whether these basic rules of smile design are broken by nature,
yourself, or your dentist, your smile and confidence can be seriously
compromised. The good news is that in the right hands they can be used
to create wonderful smiles regardless of your starting condition or the
quirks of nature. When they’re followed you’ll enjoy a radiant natural
looking smile with all the social and career benefits and peace-of-mind
that goes with it.
Evaluate your own smile:
These smile design principles are easy to understand. In fact you can
use these principles to evaluate your own smile. Experienced and highly
trained cosmetic dentists use and follow these principles every day in
transforming worn out, broken, and aging smiles, into beautiful natural
smiles. The results go far beyond just increasing your “face value” – they
are life changing!
The 21 Principles of Smile Design
To be sure, there is both an art and
a science to restoring and creating
strong attractive smiles. When
good cosmetic artistry is combined
with modern dental materials and
expert training, you can be assured
of a durable radiant and healthy
new smile that speaks volumes
about who you really are.
When it comes to the art, having a
pretty smile goes beyond modern
technology. The ancient Greeks
introduced and understood the
important parameters of beauty
called the “golden proportion”.
These principles have been long
used by renowned and famous
artists, builders and designers for
thousands of years.
Today, we blend these design
principles into beautiful smiles by
carefully managing size, shape,
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alignment and proportion to create
a result that is natural and pleasing
to the eye. Attractive smiles are
attractive because they follow
these basic rules of nature, and
natural beauty is something that is
very apparent to the subconscious
eye.
This is why beauty is so universally
recognized, and why confident
attractive smiles are noticed and
rewarded. It is important that
both the art and the science come
together to create a balanced
harmony and a pleasing smile that
is strong and durable.
Whether it is whiter teeth, or
fixing crooked teeth with “instant
orthodontics”, or replacing ugly
dark fillings, or fixing a worn out old
looking smile - modern dentistry
can take years off your face and
quickly and easily give you the
perfect smile that will allow the real
you to emerge.
Knowing these Principles of
Smile Design will help you better
understand why some people have
a great smile while others don’t. It
will help you analyze the state of
your own smile, and to know what
experienced dentists are looking at
as they design your perfect smile.
The 21 Principles of Smile Design
As you review this information,
compare your smile with the
examples shown. This is an easy
way to take the mystery out of
“what’s wrong with my smile?” By
using these principles it will help
you know what can be done to
design and create the right smile
for you, one that will let your true
personality and confidence emerge.
We encourage you to think
seriously about the benefits to
health, spirit and mind that come
from a youthful attractive smile, a
balanced bite, and healthy strong
teeth. Using these principles of
smile design you will discover how
you can make your smile one that is
judged warmly and truly announces
the “real you” – one that radiates
the confidence and success you
intend for yourself.
The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#1: Central Incisor

The 21 Principles of Smile Design Width / Height Ratio
The Principles of Smile Design govern how naturally attractive your smile
is – or isn’t! When art, science, form and function are blended optimally
by nature or an experienced cosmetic dentist, the results can be simply
amazing! Experienced cosmetic dentists understand and use these prin-
ciples to transform dull average smiles into successful confident smiles.
Do your front incisor teeth appear taller

There are many elements other than having whiter teeth that make for than they are wide like an up-right
a radiant or confident smile. Each principle is illustrated with a drawing rectangle, not a square? The width/height
and with photographs showing good and/or bad examples. While most ratio should be 75-80 %. For example, if
unattractive smiles have multiple flaws, each example illustrates one
the width were 8.0 mm and the height 10
principle.
mm, the ratio (8/10) would equal 80%.
You can use this guide as a reference to compare or evaluate your own
smile. You may find it helpful to use a mirror or a close-up photograph of
your smile as you go through these principles.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#2:
Mesial Inclination
Are your teeth angled properly? Each
upper tooth visible in the smile should
have a slight inclination or tilt that
is toward the midline (mesial) of the
mouth. If these imaginary lines were
extended downward they would meet
or converge at or near the navel point
over the stomach.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
Dr. Askari Patient Testimonials
“After having procedures done with a Waterlase, I would never want to have another
procedure done with your conventional drills, and knives, and sutures, and everything –
there’s no need for it.” - M. Roybal
“Before, they would get me numb, they’d leave the room, and I’d be sitting there, waiting
for myself to get numb, and then they’d come back. Now with laser, they started right
up.” - T. Flagler
“I saw Dr. Askari just this morning, after a seven-year absence from the dentist. I belong
to an online community and happened to mention how much I despise the dentist.
One woman had heard about the Waterlase and suggested I look into it. I made an
appointment and then paid the price for my procrastination--four cavities and one
crown (for a horrendous root canal done previously--I’ve been walking around with
a temporary crown for seven years!) Today I went in to have two of the cavities filled
and the crown prepped. Dr. Askari used the Waterlase on both cavities and it was the
procedure I’ve been waiting my whole life for!” - S. Hogan
“I just wanted to comment on the Waterlase. I lost a crown (pin and all) and figured
that the tooth couldn’t be saved and I’d have a painful procedure to look forward to.
I noticed the waterlase as soon as I sat in the chair at Comfort Dental Spa. Dr. Askari
asked me if I was willing to have her use the Waterlase to cut back the soft gum tissue
so she could reattach the crown. I had no pain beyond that I get from flossing. It was
a wonderful experience and I should know, I’ve had extensive dental work performed
over the last 10 years. I still can’t believe I came out of today’s visit without any pain or
numbness. Thank you Dr. Askari!” - C. Stevens
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#3:
Midline
Placement
and Cant
Is your smile centered on your
face and in your mouth? The posi-
tion of the mid-line between the
central incisors should be on a
line drawn from between the eyes
#4:
Are the teeth a uniform bright color
and down through the nose, lips Color, Shading, or shade? Is one tooth darker than
and chin. The angle of the mid- Stains, and the rest? Are there white or dark
line should not be canted or tilted
Markings spots or markings on the enamel?
to the left or right, but should be
straight up and down.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#5:
Smile at
Rest
Evaluate the amount of
teeth showing at rest or
with a slight smile. Middle-
aged adults should show 2-4
mm of their upper teeth.
This amount decreases
with age as the “window”
of the mouth begins to sag
downward showing more of
the lower teeth.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
“When I first met Dr.
Askari, I needed a lot
of work done. To be
honest, I never enjoyed
going to the dentist.
After my first visit,
all of that changed.
Every experience has
been enjoyable and
virtually pain free. My
teeth look beautiful, I
now enjoy going to the
dentist and showing
off my smile. Dr. Askari
and team make the
experience much
better. I will never
go anywhere else.
They are absolutely
wonderful!”
~ Neliegh R.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#6: #7:
Gum Line Gum Line
Symmetry Margin
The gum tissue frames
Heights
the teeth and forms
Is the level of the gum line
a “curtain” for the
over the lateral incisor
teeth. Is the height and
lower than the central
scalloping of the gum line
incisor? The height of the
symmetrical or matched
gum line margin over the
evenly between the left
lateral incisors should be
and right sides? Balance
slightly lower than the
and symmetry are
height of the gums over
important parts of what
the adjacent central incisor
makes an attractive smile.
and canine teeth.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#9:
#8: Gummy Smile:
Gaps or A “gummy smile” is when too much
gum tissue shows above your front
Diastema: teeth when you smile. How much
A “diastema” is a gap
gum tissue shows with a full happy
between the teeth. Is
smile? Ideally there should be only
there a space between
a slight amount (1 to 3 mm) of gum
your front teeth?
tissue showing above the front
teeth when you smile.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#10:
Gingival
Zenith
What is the location of the
uppermost height of the
gum line over each tooth?
The height of the gum line
across the face of each
tooth varies from tooth to
tooth. It should be centered
over each lateral incisor, and
it should be 2/3rds of the
way across the face of the
tooth for the central
incisors and canine teeth.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#11:
Smile Line
Follows Lip
Does your smile line
generally follow your
lower lip line? The
incisal or biting edge of
the upper teeth should
parallel or follow the
contour of the lower lip
line in a relaxed or slight
smile.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#12:
Horizonal
Plane
Are your teeth on a parallel
horizontal plane with your
eyes or with the floor? The left
to right horizontal biting plane
of the mouth should parallel
the floor or the horizon when
standing. It should also parallel
a line drawn between the
eyes (the inter-pupillary line).
The horizontal plane from the
front to the back of the mouth
should also generally parallel
the floor. (Note: some people’s
eyes are not level in nature.)
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#13: Gum
Tissue Health/
Bad Breath
Do your gums bleed when
you brush or floss, or are they
inflamed or red around the
borders? Healthy gums do not
bleed and are light pink in color
and are stippled in texture (like
an orange peel). Gum disease is
linked to heart disease and can
be very unsightly – and smelly!
Oral bacteria cause tooth decay,
gum disease and bad breath!
Any plan for an attractive smile
and good oral health must
include regular dental cleanings
and good oral hygiene practices.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

“I have had many

traumatic dental events #14:
in my life coupled with a
sever gag reflex so I have
always dreaded going to
Flossing
the dentist. Because of this
fear I allowed my dental
Contact
health to suffer and had
to deal with more severe Point
treatment that would not
have been needed had I Does the point of tooth
taken care of them. I heard
contact between front
Dr. Askari on the radio
talking about the benefits teeth gradually migrate
of sedation dentistry one
day and decided to finally upwards from tooth
check it out. I am glad
I did. Within a couple to tooth? The flossing
sedation visits Dr. Askari
and her delightful staff contact point between
tackled years of problems
and improved my dental these teeth should step
health. Although I can’t
upward with each tooth.
say I love going to the
dentist now I am happy
to have found a dental
office willing to address a
patients fears and provide
solutions to improve their
health. Thanks so much!”
~Joel

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#16:
#15: Incisal
Mal-alignment or Crowding Embrasure
Is there good definition and
separation between the front
teeth on the incisal edge of
the teeth? The size of the
silhouette or outline shape
between the front teeth should
symmetrically increase in size

Teeth should be even and straight. Are your teeth crooked or crowded in moving away from the midline.

their positioning? Is there room for your teeth in a natural arch form with This is best seen as a triangle

each tooth standing evenly side by side? Crowding happens when there shape wedge between the

isn’t enough room for them or when the jaws are too small. teeth and on the biting edge of
the front teeth.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
The Golden Proportion
was used in ancient Greek
architecture and in the
great art of the ages. It can
be observed throughout
nature and the human
body. Its principles are
used in modern building
construction, car design
and clothing. The balance
and harmony it creates is
pleasing to the eye.
Cosmetic dentists use
the Golden Proportion to
create a pleasing smile that
is balanced with the face.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
#17: Golden
Proportion Ratio
Are your teeth sized in the proper
proportion? The Golden Proportion
follows the “rule of thirds”. Each
tooth away from the midline
should be two-thirds as wide as
the previous tooth. For example:
Measure the width of a central
incisor in your mouth or on a
photograph. Divide this width by
the width of the lateral incisor next
to it. The central incisor should be
1.6 times as wide as the lateral, and
the canine 0.6 times as wide as the
lateral, and so forth.
(Example: Ideally, if the central
incisor is 10 mm wide, the lateral
incisor should be two-thirds of this
amount, or about 6.5 mm, and the
canine should be two thirds of that
or about 4.4 mm)
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#18:
Black Triangle
Is there a dark space at the
gum line between the front
teeth? A “black triangle”
appears between the front
teeth when the teeth are too
far apart or the underlying
bone level dissolves away.
When this happens, the gum
papilla shrinks and allows the
darkness from the back of the
mouth to show through as a
dark triangle.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#19:
Vertical Dimension
Does the lower one-third of your face
appear too short? The loss of vertical
dimension makes your face appear older.
The vertical distance between the nose
and the chin can be short due to improper
growth and development of the jaws and
dental bite, or because the teeth have
been ground down or are missing. As a
rule of thumb the measurement between
the gum line of the top and bottom central
incisor when biting on your back teeth
ideally averages between 17-21 mm.
For most people this creates a vertical
proportion to the lower 1/3rd of the face
that is pleasing to the eye and generally
very healthy for the jaws and jaw joints.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#20:
Dark Silver
Mercury
Fillings
Do you have dark colored
metal fillings which show
when you smile or laugh?
Silver-mercury fillings expand
and contract, and create
cracks in the teeth which
weaken and damage the
tooth. They also cast a dark
shadow through the tooth and
blemish the smile.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design

#21:
Old Dentistry
Do you have old dental restorations which are failing or are no longer
esthetic? Fillings and crowns experience wear and tear just as do the teeth
they are on. Also, because your natural teeth darken with age it makes
older porcelain crowns look lighter so that they don’t blend in. Often old
porcelain crowns have a dark metal line at the gum line.

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

Smile Design Quiz 7. Does your smile have spaces or

gaps that you don’t like?
Your honest answers to these questions will indicate whether you are a
candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Modern dental techniques combined 8. Do you like the color of your
with expert dental artistry can resolve these problems and give you a teeth? Do you wish they were
boost in confidence and appearance that is life-changing. whiter?

9. Do you like the way your teeth

1. Do you truly like the appearance of your teeth and your smile? and smile are shaped?

2. Do you feel confident when you smile? Do you worry what others 10. Do you have dark fillings that
think about you because of your smile? show when you smile?

3. Does your smile hold you back socially or does it affect your career? 11. Are the biting edges of your teeth
wearing away causing you to look
4. Are you embarrassed to smile? Do you hide or cover your smile? Do older with a worn-down smile?
you smile easily in pictures?
12. Are back chewing teeth missing
5. If you had a magic wand what would you change about your teeth or which cause a collapsed bite and
smile? an aged look on your face?

6. Are your teeth aligned straight or are they crooked?

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

Putting It All A beautiful smile makeover by Dr. Askari!

Together....
Whether it’s due to the fortunes
of nature and good genetics,
or because of the artistry and
experience of a qualified dentist,
the elements of an attractive smile
is restored, and people become
all obey the same principles of
naturally attracted to you because
smile design and good health.
of how you feel about yourself.
When nature’s rules are followed
Since your smile sells you, what is
and are combined with the
yours selling?
advantages of modern science,
miracles can happen. And the Give your life the confidence,
greatest miracles in life are radiance and health you deserve!
when lives change, confidence

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The 21 Principles of Smile Design
Meet Dr. Aziza Askari...
Committed to Excellence in
Advanced Dentistry!
An unwavering commitment to
excellence in dentistry. It’s what
sets Dr. Aziza Askari apart from
others... and provides each of her
guests with an exceptional dental
experience.
Never satisfied with status quo,
she shares the opportunities
for better health, enhanced
appearance and improved
comfort that are available only
through advanced dentistry. She
pro-actively incorporates the
latest techniques, mastering the
newest innovations in technology,
keeping pace with dentistry as it
evolves and moves forward.
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Dr. Askari believes that the
success of cosmetic dentistry
and smile makeovers is a natural
looking smile…the way nature
meant it to be.
To Dr. Askari there is nothing
more satisfying than giving people
the confidence to smile again
and to reverse the signs of age
and disease, while also liberating
them from fear and anxiety
associated with dental visits.
The 21 Principles of Smile Design
Dr. Askari loves to be on the cutting edge of dentistry, whether it is with
updated technology or as a means of creating a better experience for
her patients. Because of Dr. Askari’s gentle and natural approach, many
patients have overcome apprehension that was keeping them from
receiving the dental care they deserved. She has redefined the dental
experience by creating a relaxed and pampering spa atmosphere in her
office. Patients feel more at ease, cared for and listened to.
Dr. Askari’s joy and warmth affects everyone around her and she loves
to share her blessings with her community and the world. She is a
contributor to The Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association,
Food For The Hungry, and many other small charitable organizations
around the globe. When not pursuing her passion for dentistry, Dr. Askari
loves to spend time with her husband, Mohsin and their two beautiful
daughters, Sana and Kawsar.
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The 21 Principles of Smile Design The 21 Principles of Smile Design

Dr. Askari had been recognized by:

• The New Jersey Senate for excelling in her undergraduate studies Memberships:
• The University of Michigan awarded her for • Michigan Dental Association
Advanced Education in Dentistry • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• HOUR Magazine as Detroit’s Top Dentist • Academy of Laser Dentistry
• Temple University Dean’s List for her DMD academics • American Academy of Pain Management

Awards, Certifications & Engagements:

• Pursuing Accreditation by AACD
• Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) Dr. Aziza Askari FAGD, MBA
• Sedation Dentistry by the Dental Organization 33966 West Eight Mile Road, Suite 104
of Conscious Sedation (DOCS) Farmington Hills, MI 48335
• Laser Proficiency Certification from Academy (248) 474-6434
of Laser Dentistry as well as from Biolase Waterlase www.ComfortDentalSpa.com
• Advanced Aesthetics by the Hornbrook Group
Center for Advanced Clinical Education
• Invisalign®, certified premier provider
• Teeth in an Hour™ by Nobel, state-of-the-art dental implants
• Lumineers® by Cerinate®, the safe, painless porcelain veneer
• PerioProtect™, a revolutionary treatment for gum disease
• Regular speaker at several prestigious forums including schools,
universities, physician’s offices and to senior citizens
• Author of numerous articles and a textbook on dentistry

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Kenneth W., a patient of Dr. Askari’s, says it best:

“I’ve been ashamed of my smile all my adult life. Photographs would always show me
with a grin rather than a genuine smile. I finally decided it was time to do something for
my self-esteem. I feel very fortunate to have chosen Dr. Askari and her team.”

“I became aware of Dr. Askari thanks to a very knowledgeable friend and an article in
Hour magazine that highlighted several of the prominent doctors in metro Detroit, (Top
Docs 2009).”

“My consultation with Dr. Askari convinced me I was at the right place at the right
time. I never felt rushed or belittled by the condition of my teeth. Her team was very
understanding and compassionate. They took the time to explain my options, and fully
answered all of my questions.”

“My major reconstruction has been virtually pain free. They gave me a supply of pain
medications, but I didn’t need to take any. I feel like a new person. The work completed
so far looks natural and feels great, almost as if they were my natural teeth. I can’t
thank Dr. Askari enough for changing my life.”

“After having procedures done with a Waterlase, I would never want to have another
procedure done with your conventional drills, and knives, and sutures, and everything –
there’s no need for it.”

Dr Aziza Askari FAGD, MBA

33966 West Eight Mile Road, Suite 104
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
(248) 474-6434
www.ComfortDentalSpa.com