By Ines Min
Contributing Writer

Wonkwang University will open up a Smile Clinic in August.

The facility will develop a program that will help find the best-fitting smile for individuals, said Dong Jin-keun, a professor in the dentistry school of the southwestern Iksan-based university.

``In ancient times, a good smile gave off an image of self-confidence and made others feel comfortable, securing a high social status for the family,'' Dong said. ``It is an expression of a person's confidence and consideration, so don't use it sparingly,'' the professor said.

Practicing smiling can lead to visible improvements, with as little as three minutes in front of a mirror every morning being effective. Practicing both small and big smiles are recommended, Dong said.

``Smile for the camera,'' has a whole new meaning, thanks to a recent study the International
Journal of Prosthodontics published in June. The study compares the structural differences of
Caucasian and Korean smiles and was co-authored by Dong, and S.F. Rosenstiel, a professor from Ohio State University.

The study compared the smiling photographs of 200 male and female students of Korean and Caucasian background in order to pinpoint the aesthetics of a smile. The photos were then manipulated on Adobe Photoshop, changing the curves of the lips and teeth to find the most visually appealing. On average, the Caucasian students had a wider mouth range, showing more lips and teeth than the Korean students.

``The measure of the smile's width is longer in Caucasian males than Korean males, which is the main reason why Caucasian smiles seem more charming,'' Dong said.

Other factors considered in finding the perfect smile include lip and teeth arcs, height of the upper lip when smiling and the number of teeth that are shown. The most beautiful smile is one with a slight upward curve in the top lip that shows the front 12 upper teeth, Dong said.

The co-authors have both previously researched the characteristics of smiling in several studies. Research comparing smiles of different ethnicities show the greatest amount of variables in finding the perfect ratios. Dong has written 10 essays on the subject since 1990.

In another study, the smiles of 240 students were analyzed by five experienced dentists and five dentistry school professors. The study showed that as a person ages, the height of the upper lip lowers in order to cover the wearing teeth. However, race and age are obstacles that can be overcome, the professor said.

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