How is my profile measured in cosmetic dentistry?

The profile is measured with something called Ricketts E-Plane. Rickett's E-Plane is the angle formed when a line is drawn from the tip of the nose to the chin. The "normal" approximation is about 90 degrees. The more obtuse or acute the angle veers, the more pronounced the profile is. If one's profile is especially concave, the teeth are usually less visible, which informs the dentist that the teeth should be made bigger.  However, if the profile is especially convex, the dentist usually considers making the teeth smaller.

The best way to measure profile is to think about how you want to look and then see what is necessary to get there.  Measurement by a set of standards from studies of people only goes so far.  Best to create your own standard.  When thinking of cosmetic dentistry, it is critical that you begin by thinking about exactly what you want, then you and the dentist can choose what treatment is needed to get there!

The angle created from the tip of one's nose to the chin, which normally is 90 degrees, is an important measurement used in cosmetic dentistry. Normally facial features are observed, and diagnostic extraoral and intraoral photographs taken, when planning and designing a patient's smile. The facial profile can affect the size, shape and angulation of the teeth to provide the most aesthetic result when the angle is greater or less than 90 degrees in facial profile.