Smile Attractiveness: Perspectives of Dental and Non-Professional Students

Authors : Hikmetnur Danışman, Yunus Emre Bedir
Pages : 214-219
Doi:10.17567/currresdentsci.1441331
View : 70 | Download : 85
Publication Date : 2025-07-24
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the perception of smile attractiveness among dental students and non-specialist individuals, with the aim of drawing attention to their views on smiling. Methods: Frontal smile photographs of a woman who underwent orthodontic treatment were modified to create 12 new smile photographs, and these smiles were evaluated by two different groups in terms of buccal corridor width, midline deviation, smile arc, and occlusal cant. Overall, 256 evaluators from two groups (Group 1=dental students, Group 2=non-professional students) rated these modified photographs of different smiles of the same individual for attractiveness using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: In both groups, the unmodified reference photo had the highest attractiveness score. Dental students and non-professionals significantly differ in perceiving midline shifts (p<0,05), except 5 mm midline deviation. Evaluations of smile arc showed a significant difference in non-consonant smile scores (p=0,015) between professional groups and, most attractive photos with a consonant smile arc in both groups. No significant difference was observed between the professional groups in evaluating buccal dark corridor widths. Scores for photographs assessing occlusal cant indicated a significant difference between professional groups, except for the 10-degree occlusal cant. Conclusion: Dental and non-professional students exhibit variations in their abilities to recognize specific aesthetic nuances and assess the attractiveness of smiles. Laypersons generally demonstrate more adaptable perceptions of smile aesthetics than dental students do. Specifically, dental students display heightened sensitivity to alterations in the midline deviation and canting of the occlusal plane.
Keywords : smile attractiveness, dental student, layperson, visual analog scale

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