The influence of varying maxillary lateral incisor dimensions on perceived smile aesthetics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of varying the dimensions of the maxillary lateral incisors on perceived smile aesthetics.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
Postgraduate dental teaching hospital.


METHODS
A photograph of a female smile displaying only the lips and teeth was digitally altered. First, the width of the maxillary lateral incisors, in proportion to the central incisor, was altered at 5% intervals to produce six images (52%, 57%, 62% [the 'golden proportion'], 67%, 72% and 77%). In a second group, the length of the lateral incisor was altered at 0.5 mm increments to produce five images with the lateral incisor 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 2.5 mm shorter than the adjacent central incisor. The photos were ranked from 'most attractive' to 'least attractive' by 41 hypodontia patients, 46 non-hypodontia 'control' patients and 30 dentists.


RESULTS
The 67% followed by the 72% lateral-to-central width proportions were the 'most preferred' by all groups. A maxillary lateral incisor that is 1-1.5 mm shorter than the central incisor was the 'most popular' maxillary lateral incisor length. The very short and very long maxillary lateral incisor was consistently perceived as 'least attractive'.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to suggest that the golden proportion should be considered the ideal aesthetic standard when creating space for the replacement of missing lateral incisors.
Bukhary
S M N
SM
Unit of Conservative Dentistry, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, 256 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD.
Gill
D S
DS
Tredwin
C J
CJ
Moles
D R
DR
D000848:Anodontia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011859:Radiography; D012904:Smiling