Perception of adults' smile esthetics among orthodontists, clinicians and laypeople.
OBJECTIVE
Smile esthetics has become a major concern among patients and orthodontists. Therefore, the aim of this study was: (1) To highlight differences in perception of smile esthetics by clinicians, orthodontists and laypeople; (2) To assess factors such as lip thickness, smile height, color gradation, tooth size and crowding, and which are associated with smile unpleasantness.


METHODS
To this end, edited photographs emphasizing the lower third of the face of 41 subjects were assessed by three groups (orthodontists, laypeople and clinicians) who graded the smiles from 1 to 9, highlighting the markers that evince smile unpleasantness. Kruskall-Wallis test supplemented by Bonferroni test was used to assess differences among groups. Additionally, the prevailing factors in smile unpleasantness were also described.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference (P = 0.67) among groups rates. However, the groups highlighted different characteristics associated with smile unpleasantness. Orthodontists emphasized little gingival display, whereas laypeople emphasized disproportionate teeth and clinicians emphasized yellow teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Orthodontists, laypeople and clinicians similarly assess smile esthetics; however, noticing different characteristics. Thus, the orthodontist must be careful not to impose his own perception of smile esthetics.
Sérgio Feitosa Institute for Health Studies and Management.
Enio Ribeiro
ER
Cotrim
IES.
Átila Valadares
ÁV
Vasconcelos Júnior
IES.
Ana Cristina Soares Santos
AC
Haddad
UMESP.
Sílvia Augusta Braga
SA
Reis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003116:Color; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D000066792:Orthodontists / Q000523:psychology*; D010781:Photography; D012904:Smiling; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult