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Bio-Esthetic Principles
Bioesthetics                                                                                     Print this article
The word “Bio-esthetics” was coined by Dr. Robert Lee and sums up the important findings he made while researching and determining the underlying foundation of a healthy chewing system. Through his research, he uncovered the elegance of natural design inherent in the architecture of the mouth. The reasons for the design became apparent when the chewing function was studied. Dr. Lee found that correct form defined healthy function and likewise, in reverse, correct function allowed for beauty in form.
Typically, traditional dentistry has used worn down teeth as a model to match sizes for restorations and cosmetics. This causes the dental work to look unnatural and most importantly, doesn’t allow for natural, efficient, chewing function. Bioesthetic dentistry uses nature as the model to fully understand the function of the chewing system as a whole. It uses three principles found common to all unworn, healthy mouths to guide the restorative process, thus enabling a  self-protective mechanism of function to be built in. In this way, we can put an end to premature wear and tear, and the pain and frustration that goes along with it. After all, it is disappointing to invest time and money into treatment only to have it wear out before it should.  However, by following the bioesthetic process we can return the elegance of nature's design to the mouth and enjoy healthy function and lasting, natural beauty at the outcomes. When teeth and the bite are restored to nature’s design, not only can good function be restored, but the teeth and the face look young, healthy and vital.

Through his work Dr. Lee was able to determine what factors contributed to a healthy mouth. He discovered that the whole mouth, even the face, was affected by the way in which we chew.  He distilled his findings down to 3 principles and defined them as:

The Principle of Harmony:  Jaw joints and teeth meeting in a healthy way.
The temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and the way the teeth connect to each other directly influence the longevity and natural appearance of the face and mouth.  If the TMJ and the teeth are in harmony, this protects the joints, the teeth from wearing and breaking, and the bone and gums from receding.  
The Principle of Guidance:  Protective guidance during chewing function. 
Looking towards the front of the mouth, the upper and lower teeth between the canines (eye teeth) and the canines themselves serve to guide the chewing system into protective function.  Nature achieves this by correct position and form of the teeth in relation to each other.  Chewing then becomes more vertical in pattern than horizontal which protects the rest of the teeth from undue stress.
The Principle of Form:  Sharp anatomy of the teeth, efficiency of chewing.
If the first 2 principles are achieved, then sharp form on teeth can be maintained.  This allows for efficient chewing and proper breakdown of food, which in turn enhances the digestive function.
When all 3 of these principles work together they provide a "self protected bite" resulting in a healthy TMJ, sharp efficient teeth, and strong healthy gum and bone levels.  Not only is good function restored, but the teeth and the face look young, healthy and vital.