Esthetics in fixed and removable prosthodontics: the composition of a smile

The composition of an esthetic smile can be an elusive goal. The purpose of this paper is to present and clarify the principles of perception and the common errors in dental esthetics. A review of the literature is distilled into basic building blocks for composing the esthetic smile. Utilization of the principles presented here will allow the practitioner+ to improve the appearance of fixed and removable restorations.