Rounder Teeth Provide More Feminine, Youthful Appearance

Cosmetic dentist Denise Fundora, DDS of Beverly Hills, CA states, "Changing the size and shape of your teeth can significantly improve your smile as well as rejuvenate your overall appearance. Some of my patients say that a smile make-over is better than botox in restoring a youthful appearance."

Referring to a well-known study published by Frush and Fisher, which correlates the size and shape of teeth to sex, age and personality, Dr. Fundora explains, "There are several subtle cosmetic improvements that will change the shape and size of the teeth that result in a more youthful and feminine appearance."

"Teeth look much more feminine when they are rounded with more pronounced embrasures, the tiny inverted 'v' between the two front teeth," explains Dr. Fundora. "When the canine teeth are pointy, it softens the appearance to take the point off." Dr. Fundora achieves these changes with porcelain veneers and/or bonding, depending on the needs of each patient.

One of the determining factors in looking more masculine or feminine is the size and shape of the lateral incisor, the tooth that is at either side of the center teeth. In men, the lateral incisor can be almost the size and length of the central tooth and has a very straight edge. A woman appears more feminine when this tooth is significantly smaller, rounder and more angled towards the center.

Teeth that are associated with the male gender tend to be squarer in shape with smaller embrasures. If a male happens to have very rounded teeth, the dentist can "masculinize" his appearance by shortening the edges of his front teeth, as well make the lateral teeth larger.

Another cosmetic trick to create a more masculine appearance would be to add a pronounced tip to the canine tooth. According to the Frush and Fisher study, "The canine teeth are most important in determining the personality." Sharp tips indicate a more aggressive and male personality, rounded edges are associated with the female, softer personality.

Youthful teeth are white, tapered and have unworn incisal edges with pronounced incisal embrasures. In resting position, at least 3/4 of the upper central teeth are visible. In contrast, teeth that are associated with old age are shorter, have flat, worn edges and are visibly more yellow.