OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the smile esthetic perception of dental professionals and laypeople in Khammam on gingival margin asymmetries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A frontal close-up smile photograph of a female volunteer was captured and digitally altered in four stages of 0.5mm increments and nal images were assessed by dentists and laypeople. A questionnaire was carried out to evaluate the attractiveness of images by using a visual analog scale. Collected data were analyzed using Mann – Whitney U test. RESULTS: Smiles with 2mm gingival asymmetries were found to be less esthetic. Dentist's scores were signicantly lower than patient scores. CONCLUSION: As the amount of gingival display increased, esthetic scores decreased in both groups.