Perception of attractiveness of missing maxillary lateral incisors replaced by canines

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of perception of attractiveness of the smile among dentists, dental students, and lay persons in cases of agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors replaced by canines for space closure. Methods: A smiling front view extraoral photograph of a 20-year-old woman was digitally altered simulating agenesis and its treatment, by means of: repositioning, reshaping or bleaching the canine, and gingival contour. A questionnaire was distributed to individuals of the three groups (n= 150), with a view to evaluating their degree of esthetic perception. An attractiveness scale was also used, with ‘0’ representing unattractive and ‘10’, very attractive. Results: In the comparative evaluation among all the photographs, the original image obtained the highest level of acceptance. Photograph ‘i’ (agenesis of both lateral incisors treated with reposition and reshaping of the canines) was ranked as the least attractive by the dentists, whereas the student and lay persons ranked photograph ‘f’ (agenesis of both lateral incisors treated with reposition of the canines, gingival contour, bleaching and reshaping) as the worst. Conclusion: The methods of treatment most accepted among the dentists and students were those that involved changes in the gingival contour, whereas among lay persons, they were those that involved only reshaping.

The Maxillary Lateral Incisor Agenesis: A Case Report and a Literature Review

“…Therefore, perceptions of dental esthetics can vary between dental professionals and laypersons. In fact, Nonprofessional observers considered a simple dental reshaping of the canine to be attractive, while the dental professionals considered gingival and crown reshaping to be more esthetic [15][16][17]. Nevertheless, this option can have some inconveniences such as the lack of development of canine guidance, flattening of the facial profile with an increase in the nasolabial angle and a possible predisposition to a Class III relationship [18].…”

Missing teeth in the smile area: space closure in all malocclusions looking for long term health, esthetics and function

“…However, for some patients with CMLI, the final esthetic outcome may be acceptable by mere orthodontic space closure and canine reshaping, without any remodeling of the periodontal profile and restorations at all. It has been reported that lay people are less critical than dental professionals in the evaluation of dental esthetics, 27,28 and that mere space closure achieves a higher esthetic score than any prosthetic replacement for CMLIs. 29,30 Fig .…”

Aesthetic perception of the smile related to the vertical position of the lower anterior teeth by afro-descendent laypeople

“…One of the facial expressions that arises more interest in people and composes the beauty of it is the smile. [1][2][3] Therefore, studies have been conducted in order to reach a desired set of common characteristics for an optimal aesthetic smile. This goal is without successful perspective, since culture and ethnicity, values on what is beautiful and ugly or right and wrong vary on different continents, being illusory the idea of reaching a common denominator on this aspect.…”

“…5 Teeth and gum exposure are important factors regarding the assessment of the aesthetic smile, and their perception varies in different societies. 1…”