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1. INTRODUCTION
An acceptable cosmetic effect in any dental restoration has always been
regarded as important to good dentistry. A well-made prosthesis will fail if it is
deficient in this respect.
Esthetics includes the appreciation and response to the beautiful in art
and nature. Esthetics has been given many definitions in dentistry but
according to Young. “It is apparent that beauty, harmony, naturalness and
individuality are major qualities” of esthetics. The dentist must visualize
esthetics in relation to the patient and then translate that visualization into an
acceptable esthetic result. The success of his efforts depends upon his artistic
ability, his powers of observation and his experience.
The selection of anterior teeth for an edentulous patient is a most
important and often difficult problem for the dentist. He should select teeth
which not only embody the proper form and size, but the most ideal shade as
well.
The art of selection of teeth for edentulous patients has been lost in the
maze of tooth guides, folders and pamphlets and the numerous methods of
selection advocated by researchers.
An attempt has been made in this seminar to briefly describe the various
methods advocated in the literature and to reach a practical method.
1

2. For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the matter has been dealt with
under the following sub headings.
-
Introduction
-
Review of Literature
o Evolution of Techniques
o Dentogenics
o The Golden Proportion
-
Discussion
-
Conclusion
2

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
I) Evolution of Techniques
Young in 1954 described the evolution of various techniques used in the
selection of the anterior tooth mold.
Technique 1
During the ivory age and early porcelain period, teeth were selected or
created mostly by dimensional measurements of the denture space and arch
size with little regard to esthetics.
Technique 2
Technique of ‘Correspondence and Harmony’ projected by J.W. White
in 1872. By this time, the temperamental theory was fading out of medicine but
white reached over and suggested that the temperaments called for similarity of
form in faces and teeth.
The temperamental theory is a theory of the fluids of the body,
especially the blood, the phlegm and the bile. It was conceived by Hippocrates
in the 5th century BC and was used continuously by the medical profession in
diagnosis and treatment until the nineteenth century, when it gave way to
demonstrate science.
3

4. Choleric temperament – predominance of yellow bile characterized by anger,
irritability, a jaundiced view of life. Body structures are small and finely
textured.
Melancholic – due to predominance of black bile and characterized by
depression.
Phlegmatic temperament – due to abundance of phlegm in respiratory passages.
Alleged to make people stolid, apathetic and undemonstrative. A physical
decline occurs due to phlegm in the blood.
Sanguine temperament – attributed to a predominance of blood and
characterized by cheerfulness and optimism. Red complexion, large body,
strong musculature and vigorous action.
This was the introduction of the temperamental theory into dentistry –
but it was not widely used till after 1885 when temperamental forms of teeth
were manufactured as “named sets”.
Technique 3
The “Typical form” concept projected by W.R. Hall in 1887. This was
the initiation of the geometric theory later presented by Williams.
4

5. The basis of this classification was two-fold, the major basis was the
tooth’s labial surface curvatures (transverse and gingivo-incisal), outline form
and neck width.
Hall gave the classification of overall tapering and square.
The minor basis was the labio-lingual inclination of the upper incisors in
relation to profile types. This classification apparently exerted little influence
on practice procedure at that time.
Technique 4
The “temperamental technique” was the first technique of selecting
tooth form from the point of view of influence and universal acceptance. It
required several years to associate and establish dental characteristics of the
temperaments and to incorporate them in manufactured tooth forms, this
occurred by 1885.
Dentists like Flagg, Laycock, Hutchinson, Kingsley et al and artists like
Madame Schimmelpeinik, spurzheim and Jacques contributed to the
development and acceptance of this theory.
However, only rarely could two dentists agree on exactly what the
theory meant, what it taught and what it required. It had an intangible quality
which could not be defined in any authoritative way.
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6. Technique 5
Berry’s biometric ratio method – 1906.
Berry projected in 1903 that the outline form of the inverted central
incisor tooth closely approximated the outline form of the face. Therefore the
outline form of the edentulous face indicated the outline form of the anterior
teeth to be chosen for a denture patient.
Berry’s continued investigation into the correlation between faceform
and tooth form resulted in the discovery that the maxillary central incisor was
1/16th the width of the face and 1/20th its length. Subsequent research by M.M.
House and others proved the 1/16th width ratio but the 1/20th length ratio which
was frequently not possible to use due to interference by ridge bulk. Difficulty
in practical applications discouraged the use of this technique.
Mavroskoufis et al in 1981 concluded that the inter-alar nasal width is a
reliable guide for selecting the mold of anterior teeth. The tips of the canines
were found to lie on a projection of two perpendicular lines drawn from the
outer surfaces of the nasal alae.
Thus the mesiodistal width of the artificial anterior teeth should be
determined by adding 7mm to the patient’s nasal width.
6

7. They found no relationship between the nasal width and the total/overall
width of the four incisors.
The authors advocate that the tips of the canine be set on a line which
passes through the posterior border of the incisive papilla which proved to be a
stable anatomic land mark.
The incisive papilla can also be used as a guide for arranging the labial
surface of the central incisors at 10mm anterior to the posterior border of the
papilla.
Kern in 1967 studied various anthropometric parameters of tooth
selection by examining over 6000 skulls. He concluded that:
1. The bizygomatic measurement did not show a high percentage
consistency ratio to the width of the crowns of the maxillary central
incisors.
2. Nor did the skull length measurement prove reliable for the
determination of the length of the maxillary central incisor crown.
Significantly consistent ratios were found to occur in:
1. The nasiomenton (internasal and nasofrontal sutures and the chin)
measurement and the length of the maxillary central incisor crown
showed a 11:1 ratio in 81 per cent of skulls. However this has little
7

8. significance in edentulous patients whose nasiomenton measurements
depends on the degree of mouth opening and the orientation of the
occlusal plane.
2. The cranial circumference and the widths of the maxillary anteriors
showed a ratio of 10:1 in 91 percent of skulls. This has been reported by
Sears also.
3. 93% of skull showed equal or near equal measurements between the
nasal widths, nasal aperture and the width of the four maxillary incisors.
4. The maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth showed a high percentage
ratio of 5:4 in 90% of skulls. Sears also reported similar findings.
Technique 6
“Clapp’s tabular dimension table method” – 1910.
Teeth were selected based on the overall dimension of six anterior teeth
arranged on the Bonwill circle and the vertical tooth space available in the
patient.
A table with illustrations of molds allowed the dentist to select and
specify the mold to be used by number.
8

9. Technique 7
Valderrama’s “Molar tooth Basis” was projected in 1913. This method
of only historical value used varying measurements between combinations of
cusp points to indicate the size of the individual and overall tooth
measurements. The basic problem with this technique is that edentulous
patients have no molars.
Valderrama also predicted a selection of tooth size on a 1/4th increment
of the size of a Bonwill triangle, determined by measuring the edentulous
mandible.
Technique 8
Cigrande 1913 advocated the use of the outline form of the fingernail to
select the outline form of the upper central incisor. The size was modified to
meet the requirements of tooth space and other relationships.
Technique 9
The Geometric method or Law of Harmony.
William’s “Typal form method” projected by J. Leon Williams in 1914
is based on the geometric pattern created by the outline form of the bony face
frame – the ovoid, square and tapering forms. William arrived at this
classification after extensive anthropological study and was able to interest a
9

10. manufacturer. The Dentist’s supply company to produce his systematized
molds of teeth. Thus the typal form method or geometric method of anterior
tooth selection gained universal acceptance. However further investigation by
Wright in 1936, Bell in 1978 and Mavroskufis et al in 1980 invalidate this
method of selection. But this method is probably still the way in which most
dentists select anterior artificial teeth.
Technique 10
Young proposed the selection of tooth form by “Mold guide sample” as
the 10th technique (in approximate chronological order).
Technique 11
“Wavrin Instrumental Guide Technique” presented in 1920 was based
on Berry’s Biometric ratio method and William’s Typal form teeth but its use
was limited to a single manufacturer’s product.
Technique 12
“Maxillary Arch outline form” projected by Nelson in 1920. This
technique assumed that the arch outline form was a valid method since it was
related to an individuals anatomy. This was invalidated by changes in arch
form due to resorption.
10

11. Technique 13
“Wright’s Photometric method” proposed in 1936 was based on using a
photograph of the patient with natural teeth and establishing a ratio by
comparative computation of measurements of like areas of the face and
photograph. The simple unknown mathematical fomula could be used to select
teeth or to create correct vertical dimension. Minute inaccuracies in
measurements tended to diminish greatly the reliability of the technique so it
has enjoyed little usage.
Technique 14
“The multiple choice method” introduced by Myerson in 1937 was
based on a need for a selective range in labial surface characteristic of
transparent labial and mesial surfaces, varying surface colour tone, and
chracterization of teeth by time and wear. Harmony of tooth size and shape
with face size and shape was associated with this technique.
Technique 15
“Stein’s coordinated size technique” presented in 1940 was based on the
coronal index of 70 to 100 commonly used in prosthetic on 4 model teeth
representing the range of maximum frequency of use and on the common
variability in size of individual natural teeth. The index is the width percent of
the length. The variability is 0.5mm ; model size varied from 7.2 to 8.7 mm.
11

12. Technique 16
“Anthropometric – Cephalic index method” projected by Sears in 1941
was based on the fact that the width of the upper central incisor could be
determined by dividing either the transverse circumference of the head by 13 or
the bizygomatic width by 3.3. Tooth length was in proportion to face length.
Technique 17
“Frame Harmony method” by the Justi company in 1949, is based on the
fact that the size and proportions of the teeth are in harmony with the general
bony proportions of the skeleton. The overall tooth size is selected by a
mathematical formula, 1/7th the total dimension of the upper and lower
edentulous ridges, with the dimensions of the individual anterior teeth
correlated with a developed table of tooth dimensions to give the indicated
over-all dimension. Other characteristic of tooth form are based on genetics,
and the comparison of such dental qualities of a near relative.
Technique 18
“Bioform technique” proposed by the Dentist’s Supply company in
1950 is based on the geometric outline forms of face and teeth – the “House”
classification for 4 basic and 3 combination typal forms, and 3-dimensional
harmony of tooth form and face form. It is associated with the tabular and mold
guide systems. This is currently in use.
12

13. Technique 19
The “Trubyte tooth indicator” or “Selection Indicator Instrument”
method advocated by the Dentist’s supply company which is correlated with
William’s and House’s Typal form theory and the Tabular technique.
Technique 20
“House instrumental method” of projecting typal outline and profile
silhouettes onto the face by means of a telescopic projector instrument and
silhouette form plates. This was correlated with designated mold numbers and
size variation. This was proposed by House in 1939 and by the Dentist’s
Supply company in 1950.
Technique 21
“Automatic instant selector guide” of the Austenal company in 1951
correlated form, size and appearance in such a manner that only a single
reading was required to select the appropriate tooth mold based on dimensions
of denture space and harmony of face and tooth form.
These were the twenty one techniques detailing the evolution of the
selection of anterior teeth as described by Young in 1954.
Then in September 1955 Frush and Fisher created a revolution in the
field of dental esthetics by the introduction of Dentogenics. In a series of six
13

14. articles published between 1955 and 1959 they described various means to
more natural dentures and many tips on how to avoid the ‘denture look’.
Krajicek in 1956 proposed methods involving the duplication of the
patient’s natural teeth either before or after extraction. Klein (1960), Hayward
(1968), Kafandaris and Theodoros (1974) suggested incorporating the patient’s
natural teeth in the denture. Van Victor in 1963 proposed the mold guide cast
technique.
14

15. DENTOGENICS
Frush and Fisher in the first, of a series of six articles, published in 1955
introduced the dental community to “Dentogenic restorations”. According to
them, there was nothing in the field of esthetics that had not been considered
before. Yet a vacuum existed and the ‘Denture look’ prevailed.
Dentogenics describes a denture that is eminently suitable to the wearer
in that it adds to the person’s charm, character, dignity or beauty in a fully
expressive smile. Dentogenics then means the art, practice and techniques used
to achieve that esthetic goal in dentistry.
The authors describe the origin of the concept – Frush in 1952 met in
Zurich, Switzerland, a master sculptor by the name of Wilhelm Zech – who
ground and formed teeth for his dentist father. Zech experimented with the
molding, spacing and arrangement of teeth in artificial dentures with an artist’s
concept of what belonged in the mouth of a living human. His work inspired
Frush to take a new look at denture prosthetics and the Swissedent foundation
was established in Los Angeles, California in 1952, from where through
seminars and workshops, the concepts of dentogenics have disseminated.
Frush and Fisher in 1956 advocated sex identity in dentures by the
application of “Dentogenics”. According to them, the feminine form is
characteristically spherical with a roundness, smoothness and softness that is
15

16. typical of women. Whereas the masculine form is cuboidal, with the hard,
muscular, vigorous appearance which is typical of men.
The procedure therefore is to select a basically ‘Feminine’ or
‘Masculine’ mold and then harmonize it to the individual patient depending
upon the personality and age factors by modifying individual teeth.
The authors describe a procedure they call depth grinding which
involves the accentuation of the third dimensional depth to eliminate the first
appearance of the artificial upper anterior teeth. With a soft stone, the mesiolabial line angle of the central incisor is ground in a definite and flat cut,
following the same curve as the mesial contour of the tooth in order to move
the deepest visible point of the tooth further lingually. After this cut has been
made, a careful rounding and smoothing of the sharp angle made by the stone
must be accomplished and a perfect polish must be given to the ground surface.
It is necessary to develop the desired effect in depth grinding by a
consideration of these main factors – A flat thin, narrow tooth is delicate
looking and fits delicate women and involves little depth grinding. Whereas a
thick, “Bony”, big sized tooth, heavily carved on its labial face is vigorous and
is to be used exclusively for men. This involves rather severe depth grinding.
For the average patient, a healthy women or a less vigorous man, the
depth grinding will be an average between delicate and vigorous, the feminine
16

17. or masculine characteristics being given by other tooth shaping, incisal
grinding and the positioning of the teeth.
Depth grinding reduces the width of the central incisors according to the
severity of grinding to be accomplished. Therefore, to maintain the normal
harmony of contrast in size between the six anterior teeth, a larger sized central
incisor of the same mold should be selected.
Again in 1956, Frush and Fisher discussed another aspect of
Dentogenics – the personality of a patient. They stated that the foundation for
dentogenic restorations is the personality of the patient – simply because the
basic ‘male’ or ‘female’ tooth form is a refinement of that tooth form which has
its inception in the personality factor. Likewise age is a refinement of the
personality factor. They devised the personality spectrum and explained the
precise prosthodontic application of the otherwise abstract word personality –
by the 3 divisions of the personality spectrum.
1. Delicate – meaning fragile, frail, the opposite of robust.
2. Medium pleasing – meaning normal, moderately robust, healthy and of
intelligent appearance.
3. Vigorous – meaning the opposite of delicate, hard and aggressive in
appearance, the extreme male animal, muscular type almost primitive,
ugly.
17

18. The personality spectrum can be used in our artistic endeavour to inject
a variety of tooth form and tooth position, at the comprehensive level of
individual patient personality analysis. A small percentage of patients are
delicate, and a slightly larger percentage are vigorous. The remaining majority
of patients fall into the medium section of the personality spectrum, but all of
these have either vigorous or delicate tendencies.
The use of the dentogenic concept is made easier by considering the
smile as the primary objective personality trait of the patient. This primary
objective personality trait and the personality spectrum is used for the selection
of the mold category. These fundamental shapes must then be subjected to the
refining procedure of sex and age modifications.
The age factor in dentogenics, considered by Frush and Fisher in 1957,
determines the selection of the shade of the mold to be used in the denture.
Light shades are considered appropriate for young people and darker shades are
considered esthetic for older people. Also bluish incisal tinges are preferred for
the young and grayish shades for the older. Mold refinement is done by
producing worn incisal edges and cuspid tips, attritional and abrasional facets,
development of diastemata to indicate tooth loss and subsequent drifting.
Thus the dignity of advancing age may be portrayed in the denture.
18

19. In 1958, Frush and Fisher propounded the Dynesthetic interpretation of
the dentogenic concept. Dynesthetics is a compounded word. The prefix ‘dyn’
is from the Greek word ‘dynamis’ meaning power. It implies movement,
action, change and progression in the esthetic phase of prosthodontics. This
dynamic value has been described as making the difference between an artifact,
any object without “life-like effect” such as a spoon, and a work of art or visual
objects that are alive in meaning such as a statue.
Therefore the application of dynesthetics allows a denture to be a work
of art and have a life-like effect against a denture lacking artistic treatment and
thus remain an artifact.
The dynesthetic techniques are rules which concern the 3 important
divisions of denture fabrication.
1. The tooth.
2. Its position.
3. Its matrix (visible denture base).
The selection and modification of the tooth according to dentogenics has
already been described. The positioning and denture base considerations are
beyond the scope of this seminar.
19

20. THE GOLDEN PROPORTION
Of particular interest is the so called Golden proportion that exists
between the perceived widths of the upper anterior teeth.
Lombardi in 1973 and Levin in 1978 demonstrated that the width of the
central incisor is in golden proportion to the width of the lateral incisor. The
width of the lateral incisor to the
width of the canine is also in golden
proportion as is the width of the canine to the first premolar. The golden
proportion exists when the ratio between a larger part ‘B’ (for example) to a
smaller part ‘A’ (for example) is 1.618.
20

21. DISCUSSION
A practical approach to the selection of the anterior teeth is to consider
the size, form and color.
SIZE:
May be determined from:
-
Pre extraction records.
-
Marking the corners of the mouth on the occlusal rim gives the width of
the 6 anterior teeth.
-
Marking the inter alar width on the occlusal rim gives the width of the 6
anterior teeth from cuspid tip to cuspid tip.
-
Length may be determined by noticing visibility of the incisal edges and
relating this to lip length and dentogenics.
FORM:
Inspite of the body of research that invalidates William’s Typal theory,
clinically, it is observed to provide esthetic results and as stated by William
“Observance of this rule will always give you perfect harmony – the harmony
of opposition of line”.
21

22. The form may also be selected considering first the personality of the
patient and then modified according to the sex and age of the patient to
individualize the mold.
Pre extraction records may also be of value in the selection of the form
of the anterior teeth.
COLOR:
Color of the teeth is to be determined by the skin coloring of the
individual. The color selected should be so inconspicuous so as not to attract
attention to the teeth. The squint test may be helpful in evaluating colors of the
teeth with the complexion of the face. With the eyelids partially closed to
reduce light, the dentist compares prospective colors of artificial teeth held
along the face of the patient. The color that fades from view first is the one that
is least conspicuous in comparison with the color of the face.
The age of the patient will also effect the color of the teeth. The general
rule is that darker teeth are more appropriate in older patients and lighter teeth
are more harmonious in young patients.
This rule however must be overruled for the patient who does not smoke
and takes food of slight pigmentation and may continue to have a relatively
light tooth body together with the normal color texture. This is an application
of dentogenics to the color selection.
22

23. CONCLUSION
The selection of anterior teeth is an important part of the esthetic phase
of denture fabrication. It is essential not to be embroiled by the various
techniques aimed at making the task easier. What is necessary is the
development of an esthetic sense by the observation of natural dentitions in
response as well as in function so as to be able to create dentures that are living
things – belonging to a human being and not just mere artifacts that are poor
replicas of what has been lost.
23

24. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. BELL R.A. : The geometric theory of selection of artificial teeth : Is it
valid ?. JADA 97 : 637, 1978.
2. CLAPP G.W. : How the science of esthetic tooth form selection was
made easy. J. Prosthet. Dent. 5 : 596, 1955.
3. Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary. W.B. Saunders, 28th Ed. Pg
1666.
4. FENN, LIDELOW, GIMSON (1989) : Clinical Dental Prosthetics, 3rd
Ed., Wright.
5. FRUSH J.P. and FISHER R.D. : Introduction to dentogenic restorations.
J. Prosthet. Dent. 5 : 586, 1955.
6. FRUSH J.P. and FISHER R.D. : How dentogenic restorations interpret
the sex factor. J. Prosthet. Dent. 6 : 160, 1956.
7. FRUSH J.P. and FISHER R.D. : How dentogenics interpret the
personality factor. J. Prosthet. Dent. 6 : 441, 1956.
8. FRUSH J.P. and FISHER R.D. : The age factor in dentogenics. J.
Prosthet. Dent. 7 : 5, 1957.
24

25. 9. FRUSH J.P. and FISHER R.D. : The dynesthetic interpretation of the
dentogenic concept. J. Prosthet. Dent. 8 : 558, 1958.
10. HAYWARD D.E. : Use of natural upper teeth in complete dentures. J.
Prosthet. Dent. 19 : 359, 1968.
11. HICKEY J.C., ZARB G.A., BOLENDER C.L., (1985) : Boucher’s
prosthodontic treatment for edentulous patients, 9th Ed., Mosby, S.
Louis.
12. HEARTWELL C.M. and RAHN A.O. (1986) : Syllabus of complete
dentures, 4th Ed., Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia.
13. KERN B.E. : Anthropometric parameters of tooth selection. J. Prosthet.
Dent. 17 : 431, 1967.
14. KAFANDARIS N.M. and THEODOROU T.P. : Complete denture
technique using natural teeth. J. Prosthet. Dent. 33 : 571, 1974.
15. KLEIN I.E. : Immediate denture prosthesis. J. Prosthet. Dent. 10 : 14,
1960.
16. KRAJICEK D.D. : Personalized acrylic resin anterior teeth. J. Prosthet.
Dent. 6 : 29, 1956.
17. LEVIN E.I. : Dental esthetics and the Golden proportions. J. Prosthet.
Dent 40 : 244, 1978.
25

26. 18. MAVROSKOUFIS F. et. al : The face form as a guide for the selection
of maxillary central incisors. J. Prosthet. Dent. 43 : 501, 1980.
19. MAVROSKOUFIS F. et. al : Nasal width and incisive papilla as guides
for the selection and arrangement of maxillary anterior teeth. J. Prosthet.
Dent. 45 : 592, 1981.
20. PICARD C.F. : Complete denture esthetics. J. Prosthet. Dent. 8 : 252,
1958.
21. SEARS V.H. : Selection of anterior teeth for artificial dentures. JADA
23 : 1512, 1936.
22. VAN VICTOR A. : The mold guide cast – It’s significance in denture
esthetics. J. Prosthet. Dent. 13 : 406, 1963.
23. WRIGHT W.H. : Selection and arrangement of artificial teeth for
complete dentures. JADA 23 : 2291, 1936.
24. YOUNG H.A. : Selecting the anterior tooth mold. J. Prosthet. Dent. 4 :
748, 1954.
26

27. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Review of Literature
 Dentogenics
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Bibliography
27