Perception of Smile Esthetics -A Questionnaire Based Study

Smile is the most indicating feature of a individual's physical and social well-being. Most of the cosmetic treatment are aimed at achieving an ideal smile through improving various features of the smile. The predominant notable characteristic of the smile includes the dental hard and soft tissues which are at fault for many and subsequent orthodontic opinion are sought. From an orthodontist point of view, successful orthodontic treatment concerns about finishing the case according to the certain guidelines which in general includes dental relationships like dentition in occlusion, functional occlusion and parallel roots on panoramic radiograph with an esthetic soft tissue profile. But on the contrary, the patient views only the esthetic soft tissue profile and few visible dental features upon smiling. This study aimed at evaluating the perception of various features of smile esthetic by patients visiting orthodontic fraternity. The samples for the study were chosen among patients who visited Saveetha dental college for their orthodontic consultation. From among the orthodontic outpatients, 60 respondents (30 male and 30 females) between the age group of 15-30 years were randomly chosen. Patient's consent to participate in the study was initially obtained. Few esthetically appealing posed smiles photographs with almost ideal occlusion were chosen. Using a photo modifying software, the photographs were then altered and arranged in a cluttered sequence where each set represented variations in particular dental and smile feature. Visual Analog scale was used to score these photographs. This consisted of a scale of values from 1 to 100 with labelling of least attractive towards the left which was coded as zero to right extreme at 100 mm which was labelled as very attractive. Data was tabulated and descriptive and inferential (independent t test) statistics were calculated. No Gingival show more than 1-2 mm, increase of 1 mm above the average crown exposure, presence of midline diastema was considered to be less esthetic Difference in the perception between the male and female population(p>0.05) was noted to be very minimal in the present study indicating an equally increasing awareness in both the genders. With increasing awareness among the laypersons, the decision regarding the treatment can be made a combined decision between the orthodontist and the layperson.