Analysis of Different Vertical and Horizontal Smile Characteristics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Improving smile aesthetics is the main reason patients seek different treatments. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate some of the smile characteristics in patients with completed orthodontic treatment and patients with different types of dentoalveolar malocclusion using the method of photogrammetric analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 52 young adults aged 16–35 years. A standardized smile analysis was used to evaluate ten smile characteristics. Two frontal digital photographs were taken for each individual, one at rest and the other with a posed smile. RESULTS: A student’s t-test was used to evaluate the differences between the mean values of the smile characteristics of each type of malocclusion in untreated and treated patients. Comparing the characteristics of the smile in the study groups of treated and untreated patients with a subgroup of Class I and Class III malocclusion, no significant difference was observed in the mean values of the studied parameters. A statistically significant difference was observed only in the mean values of upper incisor exposure and left buccal corridor between untreated and treated patients with class II malocclusion. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the correlation between hard and soft-tissue anatomy and smile esthetics has important clinical significance; therefore, the components of the smile should be considered as a guide to assist in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.