Balinese Aesthetics

Dental aesthetics or cosmetic dentistry in its own definition is to improve the appearance of the teeth using bleaching, bonding, veneers, reshaping, orthodontics or implants.  Many of these cultures including the Japanese, Roman Empire, Mayans and the Balinese have their own tradition or method of modifying their teeth and beauty.  For example, the blackening of teeth, tooth filing, crosshatch designs, and jewel encrustations are some of the mutilations or modifications these particular cultures are passionate about.  Although many of these cultures views of aesthetics may appear to us as unusual practices or just plain “weirdness” each has their varied reasons for altering teeth.  The Balinese is a culture that seemed to be of much interest while doing my research.  The most common form of dental mutilation is tooth filing.  Interestingly enough tooth filing has been recorded as being performed first in Bali.  A ceremony called “Matatah” or “Tooth Filing” is performed according to the Balinese Calendar.  The method of filing comes from many different varieties varying from parallel crosshatched lines on the teeth to filing the contours of the teeth to reach desired shape. Every culture has their own reasons for altering teeth.  Some are for religious reasons others for the standards of cultural beauty in the end they all are just aesthetically practices.