Comparison of aesthetic perceptions created by the factors affecting smile design in different occupational groups

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to compare the effects of factors affecting smile design on aesthetic perceptions in different occupational groups. Methods: For this study, a questionnaire form was prepared including 42 modified photographs obtained by incorporating different levels of changes in the factors affecting smile design such as gingival visibility, incisal embrasure, buccal corridor, incisor visibility, midline, smile line, vermilion height of the lips, golden ratio, and diastema within a photograph of a woman and a photograph of a man. Voluntary participants were asked to evaluate each photograph in terms of aesthetics and mark the most appealing options on VAS and Likert-type scales. Results: Fine arts faculty graduates reactedto the differences in the images more positively than the other participants.Restorative dentistry specialists gave higher scores to the smile criteria most liked by all participants compared to other participants, while the criteria that were least liked by all participants received the lowest scores in this group. They gave answers in parallel with the values accepted as ideal. Male and female models were found to be more aestheticwhen golden ratio, incisal embrasures and the midline were not changed, the gingiva covered the central teeth by 1 mm, the lip vermilion height was increased by 2 mm, the line drawn from the incisors of the maxillary anterior was parallel to the lower lip’s curvature, the visibility of the central incisorswas 3 mm, and no diastema. Conclusion: We determined that profession and education do not always have the same effects on aesthetic perceptions. We suggest that the most appropriate results can be achieved in terms of diagnosis and treatment in aesthetic dentistry when the personal tastes of individuals are supported by data from the relevant literature.