Buccal Corridors: A Fact or a Myth in the Eyes of Laymen?

Smile Aesthetics Assessment in Patients Undergoing the Finishing Phase of Orthodontic Treatment: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Objective To describe the smile characteristics of patients entering the finishing phase of orthodontic treatment. Methods This observational study involved a non-probabilistic sample of 48 patients. Clinical records served as the basis for determining the type of treatment (with or without extractions). Photographs were analyzed to obtain smile variables. Dental casts and panoramic radiographs were evaluated to ascertain the cast-radiograph evaluation (CRE) index. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted at a significance level of 0.05. Results The study evaluated 24 men and 24 women, with an average age of 20.10 ± 6.78 years. Fifty percent of the patients did not undergo extractions, and the average CRE index for the sample was 34.83 ± 9.01. Regarding the smile, a medium smile line was prevalent in 66.7% of cases, and a non-consonant smile arc was observed in 58.3%. Significant differences in the smile arc were found between patients with and without extractions (p=0.019). Right and left buccal corridors measured 2.52 mm ± 1.52 and 2.43 mm ± 1.37, respectively. The upper dental midline deviated by 0.80 ± 0.91 mm and had an angulation of 1.65 ± 2.05º. Both variables showed significant differences between Class I and Class II patients (p=0.020; p=0.027). Symmetrical smiles were also observed (1.05 ± 0.17). Conclusions Based on our findings, clinicians should focus on the smile arc in patients who have not undergone extractions and on the midline inclination in Class II patients. These appear to be the most common areas for improvement in patients who are in the finishing phase of treatment. Additionally, considerable variability exists in the smile characteristics of patients still undergoing orthodontic treatment, leaving room for further enhancement of results.

Comparative analysis of smile aesthetics between top celebrity smile and a Southern European population

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The analysis of different parameters involved in the esthetic perception of the smile is important for the correct planning of cosmetic dental treatments.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in the main parameters of smile esthetics among celebrities identified as having the best esthetic smiles and a young Southern European population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study consisted of a control group of 144 dental students from the University of Seville (69.4% women; 30.6% men) with a mean ±standard deviation age of 23.19 ±0.5 years and photographs of 58 celebrities identified as having the best esthetic smiles (74.1% women; 25.9% men) with a mean ±standard deviation age of 42.09 ±2.25 years. Photographs of the celebrities were obtained from the Internet, and standardized photographs were made of the control group. The variables measured were smile line, smile arc, incisal edges and lower lip relationship, smile width, dental midline deviation and tilting, buccal corridor widths, and angulation discrepancy between interpupillary line and commissural line and between interpupillary line and occlusal plane. The data obtained were processed in a statistical software program for a descriptive statistical analysis and for inferential analysis parametric statistical tests by applying the Wilcoxon, chi-square, Student t, and kappa index tests (α=.05).

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences (P<.01) were found between the groups in terms of smile width, smile arc, midline deviation and tilting, and angulation discrepancy between the interpupillary line and the commissural line. Smile arc was the only variable found to be different (P<.01) in relation to sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Characteristics of the most esthetic smiles were no deviation or tilting of the maxillary midline, showing a greater number of teeth in the smile, displaying incisal edges parallel to the lower lip (particularly in women), and displaying occlusal and commissural planes parallel to the interpupillary line.