Esthetics and smile characteristics evaluated by laypersons

Abstract

Objective: To collect data regarding Canadian laypersons' perceptions of smile esthetics and compare these data to US data in order to evaluate cultural differences. Materials and Methods: Using Adobe Photoshop 7, a digital image of a posed smile of a sexually ambiguous lower face was prepared so that hard and soft tissue could be manipulated to alter buccal corridor (BC), gingival display (GD), occlusal cant (OC), maxillary midline to face discrepancy (MMFD), and lateral central gingival discrepancy (LCGD). Adult Canadian laypersons (n 5 103) completed an interactive computer-based survey of 29 randomized images to compare smile preferences for these variables. The custom survey was developed to display fluid, continuously appearing modifiable smile variables using MATLAB R2008 for presentation. These data were compared with previously published data for US laypersons. Statistical inference was determined using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: Canadian laypersons were more sensitive in detecting deviations from ideal and had a narrower range of acceptability thresholds for BC, GD, OC, MMFD, and LCGD. Ideal esthetic values were significantly different only for BC.Conclusions: It appears that cultural differences do exist related to smile characteristics. Clinically significant differences in the preference of the smile characteristics were found between Canadian and US laypersons. Canadian laypersons, on average, were more discriminating to deviations from ideal and had a narrower range of acceptability. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:198-205.)

Analysis of smile esthetics in American Board of Orthodontic patients

“…This finding is in agreement with previously published research. 1,[22][23][24] Although gingival display/visible dentition display and left gingival display/visible dentition display ratio measurements may be equally important, no statistical significance for these variables were demonstrated in the sample, possibly because of the individual variability, for example, slight asymmetry.…”

Influence of buccal corridor dimension on smile esthetics

“…To illustrate this point, articles that investigated the esthetic influence of the buccal corridor used Caucasian women's smiles, 8,10,[12][13][14][15][16] thereby raising the question of whether these findings can be used to assess men's smiles and Afro-descendant individuals. Moreover, another issue relevant to the dispute is that esthetic preference for specific features may vary between individuals of different countries, 18 which calls into question the use of esthetic parameters in places where the research has not been conducted.…”

Patients with extensive esthetic enhancement requests. Some tips for finishing and detailing

“…We are very aware that even the notion of a harmonious smile is a vast topic that cannot be summed up with a few simple rules of esthetics about the positioning of the teeth given its subjective nature and how it varies with the individual, the various cultures and even the sex of the person involved 5,7 . Of course, communication is the essential key if we are to fully understand the expectations of our patients.…”