Perception of adults' smile esthetics among orthodontists, clinicians and laypeople

• Main Author: Cotrim,Enio Ribeiro
• Publication Date: 2015
• Other Authors: Vasconcelos Júnior,Átila Valadares, Haddad,Ana Cristina Soares Santos, Reis,Sílvia Augusta Braga
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512015000100040
• topic: Orthodontics; Dental esthetics; Smile

OBJECTIVE: Smile esthetics has become a major concern among patients and orthodontists. Therefore, the aim of this study was: (1) To highlight differences in perception of smile esthetics by clinicians, orthodontists and laypeople; (2) To assess factors such as lip thickness, smile height, color gradation, tooth size and crowding, and which are associated with smile unpleasantness. METHODS: To this end, edited photographs emphasizing the lower third of the face of 41 subjects were assessed by three groups (orthodontists, laypeople and clinicians) who graded the smiles from 1 to 9, highlighting the markers that evince smile unpleasantness. Kruskall-Wallis test supplemented by Bonferroni test was used to assess differences among groups. Additionally, the prevailing factors in smile unpleasantness were also described. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (P = 0.67) among groups rates. However, the groups highlighted different characteristics associated with smile unpleasantness. Orthodontists emphasized little gingival display, whereas laypeople emphasized disproportionate teeth and clinicians emphasized yellow teeth. CONCLUSION: Orthodontists, laypeople and clinicians similarly assess smile esthetics; however, noticing different characteristics. Thus, the orthodontist must be careful not to impose his own perception of smile esthetics.