Aesthetic perception of gingival smiles

• Autor(a) principal: CAVALCANTI,Sabrina Maciel
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: VALENTIM,Flavia Bridi, GUERRA,Selva Maria Gonçalves, ROSETTI,Elizabeth Pimentel
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1807-25772018000100045
• topic: Gingiva; perception; esthetics; photography; smiling

Abstract Introduction Dentists have shown interest in learning new techniques to create more attractive smiles, but with little concern for understanding the reasons why the patient is dissatisfied. Objective To evaluate the aesthetic perception of laypersons in dentistry in comparison with general practitioner dentists and periodontists regarding the gingival smile, and to compare this aesthetic perception between the male and female genders. Methodology A photograph of a standard smile was taken and was digitally modified to create the periodontal conditions of a gingival smile from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. The photographs were judged by 150 individuals (25-65 years of age), 81 female and 69 male, divided into three groups: 50 laypersons, 50 general practitioners and 50 periodontists. The evaluation was performed using a visual analog scale. The statistical evaluation tests used were the Pearson Chi squared test, Student's t-test, ANOVA and Newman-keuls. Result The aesthetic perceptions among the professionals are similar, and they observe more subtle changes in the aesthetics of the smile than the laypersons observe. The general practitioners and periodontists were similarly sensitive to changes generated in the gingival smile when these reached 1.5 mm, while laypersons only perceived them when these changes reached 2.5 mm. There was no significant difference in the aesthetic perception of male and female evaluators in any of the groups. Conclusion The aesthetic perception of the gingival smile between general practitioner dentists and periodontists was similar, and dental professionals were more demanding than the layperson. There was no difference between female and male aesthetic perceptions.