Comparative analysis of smile esthetics between top celebrity smile and a Southern European population

Abstract

Statement of problemThe analysis of different parameters involved in the esthetic perception of the smile is important for the correct planning of cosmetic dental treatments. PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in the main parameters of smile esthetics among celebrities identified as having the best esthetic smiles and a young Southern European population. Material and methodsThe study consisted of a control group of 144 dental students from the University of Seville (69.4% women; 30.6% men) with a mean ±standard deviation age of 23.19 ±0.5 years and photographs of 58 celebrities identified as having the best esthetic smiles (74.1% women; 25.9% men) with a mean ±standard deviation age of 42.09 ±2.25 years. Photographs of the celebrities were obtained from the Internet, and standardized photographs were made of the control group. The variables measured were smile line, smile arc, incisal edges and lower lip relationship, smile width, dental midline deviation and tilting, buccal corridor widths, and angulation discrepancy between interpupillary line and commissural line and between interpupillary line and occlusal plane. The data obtained were processed in a statistical software program for a descriptive statistical analysis and for inferential analysis parametric statistical tests by applying the Wilcoxon, chi-square, Student t, and kappa index tests (α=.05). ResultsStatistically significant differences (P<.01) were found between the groups in terms of smile width, smile arc, midline deviation and tilting, and angulation discrepancy between the interpupillary line and the commissural line. Smile arc was the only variable found to be different (P<.01) in relation to sex. ConclusionsCharacteristics of the most esthetic smiles were no deviation or tilting of the maxillary midline, showing a greater number of teeth in the smile, displaying incisal edges parallel to the lower lip (particularly in women), and displaying occlusal and commissural planes parallel to the interpupillary line.