The influence of incisal malocclusion on the social attractiveness of young adults in Finland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of dentofacial appearance on the perceived social attractiveness of young adults in Finland. The dental arrangements studied were incisal crowding, median diastema, protruding incisors, and ideal incisal occlusion. Facial photographs of six young adults were obtained and modified, so that for each face, four different dental arrangements could be portrayed. The photographs were shown to 1007 Finnish students to estimate social and personal characteristics of the person in the photograph. Dental arrangement had a significant influence on the perceived beauty and success of the persons. Test faces with incisal crowding and median diastema were ranked as significantly less intelligent, beautiful and sexually attractive, and judged to belong to lower social class than the same faces with ideal occlusion. Protruded incisors did not affect the ratings compared to ideal occlusion. On the average, female test faces were judged more favourably than the male ones. The results indicate that among Finnish students conspicuous incisal crowding or spacing represent a social disadvantage compared to normal or protruded incisors.

Bullying in schoolchildren – its relationship to dental appearance and psychosocial implications: an update for GDPs

“…48 Individuals with normal incisor alignment are regarded as more desirable as friends, attractive, intelligent, of higher social class and less aggressive in comparison with individuals with a malocclusion. 45,47,49 Individuals with high levels of facial attractiveness also elicit a more favourable response from society compared to those with low levels. 42,47 In addition, the importance of having good dentofacial appearance is recognised as important in making friends, career progression and dating.…”

The influence of varying maxillary incisal edge embrasure space and interproximal contact area dimensions on perceived smile aesthetics

“…1 In fact, in some cases improved dento-facial appearance is the dominant motivation for treatment, often to a greater extent than improved dental health and function, 2 especially when applied to the anterior dentition. 3 It is therefore important that both clinicians and technicians have an in-depth understanding of the individual components that help to achieve what might be described as the optimal smile aesthetics.…”

Subjective Opinions of Dental Attractiveness and Orthodontic Treatment Need among Nigerian Adolescents

“…(1 very important, 2important, 3 does not matter, 4 not important and 5 not important at all). 4 13 has a scale of 10 coloured photographs showing different levels of dental attractiveness, with grade 1 representing the most attractive and grade 10 the least attractive. According to Richmond et al, 14 grades 1-4 represent no or little aesthetic need, grades 5-7 borderline / moderate aesthetic need, and grades 8-10 a definite aesthetic need for orthodontic treatment.…”

“…What is an acceptable dental appearance for one person may not be acceptable for another, as in the case of the midline diastema which is considered as a malocclusion in Caucasian cultures, 3.4 but is believed to be a sign of beauty in many African cultures. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In addition, dissatisfaction with dental appearance is broadly related to the severity of the occlusal irregularities, 3,4,12 but there are differences in the recognition and evaluation of the dental features. 5 In Nigeria, where orthodontic services are mainly confined to the South-West, there is an increased awareness of dental aesthetics in that part of the country, which could be linked to the presence of the dental schools and practicing orthodontists in the region.…”