Abstract

SMILE PERCEPTION: A COMPARISON BETWEEN DENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND LAYPERSONS

Dr. Sapna Sharma*, Dr. Mahesh C. P., Dr. Rashmi Khanna, Dr. Monika Rana, Dr. Megha Verma and Dr. Ishant Singhal

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate and compare the perceptions of asymmetric and symmetric anterior dental discrepancies by dental professionals and laypersons. Methods: One image of a woman‟s smile was intentionally altered with a software-imaging program. The alterations involved crown length, crown width, midline diastema, papilla height, and gingiva-to-lip relationship of the maxillary anterior teeth. These altered images were rated by groups of dental professionals and laypersons using a visual analogue scale. The responses were statistically analysed and resulted in the establishment of threshold levels of attractiveness for each group. Results: Dental professionals were more critical than laypersons when evaluating asymmetric crown length discrepancies. Crown length discrepancy and a midline diastema were identified by both groups. Crown width discrepancy is identified by dental professionals and not by laypersons. Discrepancy of 0.5 mm in unilateral and bilateral papillary height reductions and gummy smile was not identified by dental professionals, whereas laypersons have not identified any difference. Conclusions: Asymmetric alterations make teeth more unattractive to not only dental professionals but also to the laypersons.

Keywords: Esthetics, Dental Professionals, Laypersons.