Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages

Abstract Background Age is a factor affecting smile esthetics. Three variables of smile esthetics associated with the maxillary anterior teeth and age-related changes have recently received considerable attention: (i) the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors, (ii) the maxillary gi...

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Main Authors: Chompunuch Sriphadungporn, Niramol Chamnannidiadha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2017-03-01
Series:Progress in Orthodontics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40510-017-0162-4
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author Chompunuch Sriphadungporn
Niramol Chamnannidiadha
author_facet Chompunuch Sriphadungporn
Niramol Chamnannidiadha
author_sort Chompunuch Sriphadungporn
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Age is a factor affecting smile esthetics. Three variables of smile esthetics associated with the maxillary anterior teeth and age-related changes have recently received considerable attention: (i) the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors, (ii) the maxillary gingival display, and (iii) the presence of a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age on smile esthetic perception based on these three variables in a group of Thai laypeople. Methods The smiles were constructed from a photograph of a female smile. Smile photographs were altered in various increments using three variables: the incisal edge position of the maxillary incisors, gingival display, and a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors. The photographs were shown to a group of 240 Thai laypeople. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger group, 15–29 years old (n = 120) and an older group, 36–52 years old (n = 120). Each subject was asked to score the attractiveness of each smile separately using a visual analog scale. Results Smile attractiveness scores concerning the incisal edge positions of the maxillary central incisors were similar between the two groups. However, upper lip coverage was rated as unattractive by the younger group. A gingival display of 0 and 2 mm was rated as most attractive by the younger group. Upper lip coverage and gingival display of 0 and 2 mm were considered attractive by the older group. Excessive gingival display (6 mm) was scored as unattractive by both groups. A black triangle ranging from 1 to 2.5 mm between the maxillary central incisors was scored differently between the two groups. The older group was more tolerant of the black triangle size. Conclusions Age impacts smile perception based on maxillary gingival display and the presence of a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors, but not of the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors. Due to the variation in esthetic perception of each individual, participation between orthodontists and patients for decision-making and treatment planning is a crucial process to provide successful results.
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spelling doaj.art-8f9f7dc3aada446e85e68db398bf12cf2022-12-22T03:01:04ZengSpringerOpenProgress in Orthodontics2196-10422017-03-011811810.1186/s40510-017-0162-4Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different agesChompunuch Sriphadungporn0Niramol Chamnannidiadha1Chulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn UniversityAbstract Background Age is a factor affecting smile esthetics. Three variables of smile esthetics associated with the maxillary anterior teeth and age-related changes have recently received considerable attention: (i) the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors, (ii) the maxillary gingival display, and (iii) the presence of a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age on smile esthetic perception based on these three variables in a group of Thai laypeople. Methods The smiles were constructed from a photograph of a female smile. Smile photographs were altered in various increments using three variables: the incisal edge position of the maxillary incisors, gingival display, and a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors. The photographs were shown to a group of 240 Thai laypeople. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger group, 15–29 years old (n = 120) and an older group, 36–52 years old (n = 120). Each subject was asked to score the attractiveness of each smile separately using a visual analog scale. Results Smile attractiveness scores concerning the incisal edge positions of the maxillary central incisors were similar between the two groups. However, upper lip coverage was rated as unattractive by the younger group. A gingival display of 0 and 2 mm was rated as most attractive by the younger group. Upper lip coverage and gingival display of 0 and 2 mm were considered attractive by the older group. Excessive gingival display (6 mm) was scored as unattractive by both groups. A black triangle ranging from 1 to 2.5 mm between the maxillary central incisors was scored differently between the two groups. The older group was more tolerant of the black triangle size. Conclusions Age impacts smile perception based on maxillary gingival display and the presence of a black triangle between the maxillary central incisors, but not of the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors. Due to the variation in esthetic perception of each individual, participation between orthodontists and patients for decision-making and treatment planning is a crucial process to provide successful results.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40510-017-0162-4Visual perceptionSmileEstheticsAge
spellingShingle Chompunuch Sriphadungporn
Niramol Chamnannidiadha
Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
Progress in Orthodontics
Visual perception
Smile
Esthetics
Age
title Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
title_full Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
title_fullStr Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
title_full_unstemmed Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
title_short Perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
title_sort perception of smile esthetics by laypeople of different ages
topic Visual perception
Smile
Esthetics
Age
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40510-017-0162-4
work_keys_str_mv AT chompunuchsriphadungporn perceptionofsmileestheticsbylaypeopleofdifferentages
AT niramolchamnannidiadha perceptionofsmileestheticsbylaypeopleofdifferentages