Sir, I read with interest the article by Irfan Ahmad on anterior dental aesthetics (BDJ 2005; 199: 135–141). In the article he associates gender with dental aesthetics. This perceived association between gender and tooth morphology/arrangement is commonly misunderstood. There does not appear to be any physical basis for this association.1 I feel this should be emphasised when suggesting general rules which may or may not apply to individuals. However, the author is right in suggesting that contemporary society deems some tooth arrangements 'masculine' and some tooth arrangements 'feminine'.2 I am sure the author will agree that these general 'rules' (perhaps 'guidelines' would be a more appropriate term?) of morphopsychology should be abandoned rapidly in the face of patient individuality.
References
Hyde TP, McCord F, Macfarlane T, Smith J . Gender aesthetics in the natural dentition. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 1999; 7: 27–30.
Hyde T P, Smith J . Gender, opinion and prejudice in aesthetic prosthodontics. Poster presented to BSSPD annual conference, 2001.
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Hyde, T. Patient individuality. Br Dent J 199, 484 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812858
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812858