title: Which Factors Affect Dental Esthetics and Smile Attractiveness in Orthodontically Treated Patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to find the factors that affect dental esthetics and smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients according to laypeople's judgment, and to determine whether there is any relationship between dental and smile esthetics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Q-sort technique, 60 laypersons (30 males, 30 females) rated dental and smile photographs of 48 orthodontically treated patients based on their degree of attractiveness. Dental and smile parameters of each rated image were measured by Smile Analyzer software. The Student's t-test and chi-square test were used to compare dental and smile parameters between attractive and unattractive images. The logistic regression was used to assess which variables predicted dental and smile esthetics in treated individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The philtral to commissural height ratio and gingival display were significantly different in attractive and unattractive smiles (P=0.003 and P=0.02, respectively). None of the dental variables were found to be a determinant of dental esthetics at the end of the orthodontic treatment (P>0.05). According to the judgment of all raters (female and male) and the male raters' judgment, smile attractiveness could be predicted by philtral to commissural height ratio and buccal corridor ratio (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between dental esthetics and smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The philtral to commissural height ratio and buccal corridor ratio can be considered as predictors of smile attractiveness in orthodontically treated patients. Achieving dental esthetics at the end of orthodontic treatment does not guarantee smile attractiveness.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Dental Research Center, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahrari
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heravi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Dental Research Center, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Roozbeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rashed
authors.affiliation: Periodontist, Private Practice, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zarrabi
authors.affiliation: Dental Student, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Yasin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Setayesh
keywords: Attractiveness; Dental; Esthetics; Orthodontic treatment; Q-sort; Smiling