Smiling all the way to the polls

Which way we vote could come down to whose smile we trust. With the polls predicting the tightest contest for decades, dental trainer Dr. Paul Tipton informs Brits of the intricate psychological details of the politicians' personalities that lies beyond their teeth and which of the three leaders has the winning smile.

"I think it's safe to say that Nick Clegg's teeth give him an edge over other candidates - particularly among dentists. His upper lateral incisors are only slightly twisted and rotated but the centrals appear sound and canines not worn. This can indicate a more laid back individual at ease with the world."

"On the other hand, David Cameron has worn away part of his two upper central incisors. He appears to be a bruxist - clencher and grinder, indicative of a type A personality, someone who likes to control and multitask. He needs composite bonding or veneers and an occlusal splint for night time wear. Treatment to improve the smile would be orthodontics to derotate and align."

"It's pretty clear that Gordon Brown has had a lot of work done. He appears to have had a smile makeover using porcelain fused to metal crowns on some upper and lower teeth. This indicates a need to improve his appearance. The crowns are monochromatic and opaque looking therefore they do not appear natural. I would recommend their replacement with crowns that appear more real, vigorous and masculine appearance.

It's very true that different smiles have markedly different effects. If you've got that winning smile, you will naturally be perceived as more confident, pleasant, attractive, sociable and competent. All things we look for in leader."

Dr Paul Tipton specialises in advanced restorative dentistry, crowns, bridges, veneers, and restoration of implants and lectures at renowned dental school Tipton Training based in Manchester.