Sir, I thank Mr S. Radlinskiy for his kind words about my work on the golden proportion and his contribution to the discussion regarding proportion in dental aesthetics (Aesthetic deviation; BDJ 2009; 206: 447).

I would agree with him that the sizes of incisors are usually the same width both sides and any differences in symmetry are due to their positioning in the dental arch and I like his phrase that 'Ultimately mathematics is the root of aesthetics.' Some further elaboration on this profound statement would be welcome.

I do, however, wonder where he gets his idea from there that the optimum aesthetic ratio between the upper incisors should be 1.3 : 1.0 : 1.15.

Is this his own decision and his own taste, or is it in the literature, or does he base it on anything other than his own opinion? Thank you.