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

The influence of maxillary central incisor height-to-width ratio on perceived smile aesthetics

“…The master image was used for all further digital modifications used in the study. This methodology of manipulating a photograph of the same female posed smile was previously reported by Foulger et al 9 To create the images used in the study, all aspects, including the central incisor width, were kept constant, and only the height was varied and manipulated to produce three sets of photographs with 0.5 mm height alterations (Figs 1-3). The images produced ranged from height alterations of −2 to +2 mm, creating width to height ratios of 96 to 66%.…”

Clinical Measurement of the Height of the Interproximal Contact Area in Maxillary Anterior Teeth

“…The interproximal contact area (ICA) is defined as the zone in which two adjacent teeth appear to meet. (1) The spaces that are formed coronal to the ICA are called spillway spaces or embrasures. They serve two main purposes: make a spillway for the escape of food during mastication, which reduces forces brought to bear upon the teeth; and prevent food from being forced through the contact area.…”

Morphological Simulation of Different Incisal Embrasures: Perception of Laypersons, Orthodontic Patients, General Dentists and Orthodontists

“…The literature contains a significant number of studies aimed at investigating the esthetic impact of incisal embrasures on smile esthetics. One particular study revealed that prosthetically restored teeth showed smaller areas of incisal embrasures, which lent these teeth a touch of artificiality compared to the embrasures of natural teeth . An esthetic preference for more rounded incisal embrasures seems to exist, which progressively increase their area distally on the dental arch, thereby imparting a sense of joviality to the smile .…”

“…As for the squared form, it depicts a more senior or elderly smile . In addition, in a harmonic smile, incisal embrasures must be narrower between central incisors and become gradually larger between central and lateral incisors, and between lateral incisor and cuspid …”

“…Few studies have hitherto focused on the impact of incisal embrasures on smile esthetics . In addition, there has been no research on this subject which showed differences in the opinions of evaluator groups, by separating laypersons and orthodontic patients into distinct groups.…”