The structure and beauty of life, art, the universe, and our smiles
What is it about certain pieces of art – like the Mona Lisa – that make it so captivating and admired for centuries? What is it about a great sculpture or structure that sustains interest and study through the ages?
Disney’s 1970 Donald Duck in Mathemagical Land explains it quite nicely. It’s the mathematical formula of space and proportion known as the Fibonacci, or the Golden Ratio. It was discovered around 300 BC and it makes up much of our natural world, from spiraling galaxies right down to the structure of our own DNA.
The more an object, music, or architecture fits into this ratio, the more instinctively we are drawn to it. And that goes for our smiles, too. The closer our teeth fit the Fibonacci ratio, the more captivating our very smiles become. The same is true for our facial structure and body proportion when it fits the ratio.
To put it very simply, when there are two objects, the size ratio should be 1:1.618. So, when your teeth are a certain length and width - your middle one compared to your second one, to your third one, and so on, that’s the Golden Proportion. Straightening teeth is basic orthodontia – it’s the fine details of your teeth’s ratio with each other and to your face that creates the ideal smile.
I have always been fascinated with science and art. I was exposed to the orthodontic world of beauty because it was my father’s profession, but I became an orthodontist because of my personal desire to marry the two together. Later in college, I became fascinated with genetics. When I learned that our basic DNA structure is bonded at this ratio, I knew it couldn't be a coincidence. It all comes down to natural selection. Every living organism is genetically encoded to develop and conform to this divine proportion, which shows up in our organs, bones, body structure, allowing us to function. Without the Fibonacci Ratio, we would cease to exist.
Dr Steven Maquardt and his research on facial beauty fueled me in early 1999 and sustains me to this day. For me, what better way could there be to work with both art and science than to help people achieve a magnetizing, confident smile. We use the Fibonacci ratio every day to guide our orthodontics and facial aesthetics.
The aesthetic we can achieve with the Fibonacci ratio is by definition universal and timeless. It’s the almost micro-details that make the difference between a good smile and a stunning, unforgettable smile. That’s the work we love to do!