Which Factors Affect Dental Esthetics and Smile Attractiveness in Orthodontically Treated Patients

Background and Objective: This study aimed to find the factors that affect dental esthetics and smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients according to laypeople’s judgment, and to determine whether there is any relationship between dental and smile esthetics.Materials and Methods: Using the Q-sort technique, 60 laypersons (30 males, 30 females) rated dental and smile photographs of 48 orthodontically treated patients based on their degree of attractiveness. Dental and smile parameters of each rated image were measured by Smile Analyzer software. To determine the systematic error of the measurements, some of the dental and smile photographs were selected and the measurements were repeated one week later. The logistic regression was used to assess which variables predicted dental and smile esthetics in treated individuals.Findings: The philtral to commissural height ratio and gingival display were significantly different in attractive and unattractive smiles (P=0.003 and P=0.02, respectively). None of the dental variables were found to be a determinant of dental esthetics at the end of the orthodontic treatment (P> 0.05). According to the judgment of all raters (female and male) and the male raters’ judgment, smile attractiveness could be predicted by philtral to commissural height ratio and buccal corridor ratio (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between dental esthetics and smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients (P> 0.05).Conclusion: The philtral to commissural height ratio and buccal corridor ratio can be considered as predictors of smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients. Achieving dental esthetics at the end of orthodontic treatment does not guarantee smile attractiveness.

کلیدواژه ها:

Smiling ، Esthetics ، Dental ، Attractiveness ، Orthodontic treatment ، Q-sort