Leonardo Da Vinci discovered that in art, in architecture, and in nature, there is a mathematical formula for beauty. What does the Mona Lisa have in common with The Lincoln Memorial or a leaf? Da Vinci studied many species in nature, wondering in amazement at their beauty. These species included human models that were the subjects of his art. The most pleasing specimens displayed a mathematical proportion of height to width, of upper face to lower face, of appendage to body. That proportion was 1 to 1.618. This simple mathematical formula is known as the Divine Proportion. Have you ever looked at a building and felt that something just wasnt right? Have you ever looked at someones teeth and felt that something just wasnt right? If you look at some of the most pleasing buildings such as The Lincoln Memorial, you can measure the height and width and find that their ratio is 1 to 1.618. The same is true with teeth. In the most pleasing smiles, you will find that the width to height ratio of a front tooth is 1 to 1.618. The width of the lower front tooth in proportion to the width of the upper front tooth is 1 to 1.618. The length of the ideal upper front tooth multiplied by 1.618 gives us the ideal distance from upper gumline to lower gumline in the front, corresponding to an ideal lower face. If all these numbers are confusing to you, just remember that Leonardo Da Vinci discovered measurements that make things beautiful. And thats good news for anyone that wants a beautiful smile. |
