Looking to know more about Visagism in dentistry?

Visagism involves the creation of a customized personal image that expresses a person’s sense of identity. It is useful in dentistry to help aid what a smile design might look best on a given individual. A short series of questions helps to determine the individual’s personality. The person’s personality type is then categorized into the four basic temperaments by percentage. Hippocrates is one of the first people given credit for describing these four basic traits, they are

choleric or strong
sanguine or dynamic
melancholic or sensitive
phlegmatic or calm or peaceful

The initial term is from Hippocrates and the second term is the modern meaning, which eases the understanding of the concept for those of us unfamiliar with Hippocrates terms. Of these four traits one or two are often dominate.

Does this remind you of Carl Jung’s work?

Visagism used to describe facial types

• Choleric/strong: This type of individual has a rectangular face formed by well-defined angles, vertical and horizontal lines around the forehead and mouth, and deep-set eyes. Choleric/strong individuals have a personality characterized by strong leadership qualities, decisiveness, daring, and fearlessness.
• Sanguine/dynamic: This type of individual has an angular face formed by slanting lines around the eyes and forehead, a prominent nose, and a wide mouth. The sanguine/dynamic individual is an active and communicative extrovert.
• Melancholic/sensitive: This type of individual has close-set eyes and an oval face with features that are either rounded or formed by thin lines. The melancholic/sensitive personality is gentle and has a capacity for awareness and abstract thinking.
• Phlegmatic/peaceful: This type of individual is gentle, discreet, and diplomatic; he or she has a round or square face, protruding lower lips, and heavy eyelids.