Esthetic preferences of laypersons of different cultures and races with regard to smile attractiveness

Abstract

Culture and race may significantly affect the esthetic preference of individuals with regard to smile attractiveness.

Aesthetic crown lengthening and lip repositioning surgery: Pre‐ and post‐operative assessment of smile attractiveness

“…In studies assessing smile attractiveness or the desirability of specific elements of a smile, laypersons the world over are typically less discriminating and much more tolerant of deviations from 'ideal' conditions than professionals (Kokich et al, 2006;Martin et al, 2007;Abu Alhaija et al, 2011;Pithon et al, 2013;Öz et al, 2017;Almanea et al, 2019;Pinzan-Vercelino et al, 2020;Tosun & Kaya, 2020). In fact, the range of acceptability for many smile parameters is quite wide for laypersons (Ker et al, 2008;Sadrhaghighi et al, 2017). In this context, the fact that laypersons with aesthetic concerns about their own smile were much more critical of the APE patient smiles is an interesting finding of this study; the lack of other studies in the literature where laypersons with and without concerns about their own smiles were asked to serve as raters precludes any comparisons.…”

“…These discrepancies may be attributed to ethnic, cultural and racial differences in individuals' preferences for specific smile elements (Ker et al, 2008;Sadrhaghighi et al, 2017) and differences in study methodologies.…”

“…Furthermore, evidence suggests that smile attractiveness in relation to GD is independent of facial form (Akhare & Daga, 2012). Finally, the ethnic/racial or cultural background of raters, a factor that can modify aesthetic preferences (Ker et al, 2008;Sadrhaghighi et al, 2017), was not considered.…”

Composite lateral cephalometric norms– A pooled estimate of 137 Indian studies

“…It has well been established that the concepts of esthetics, perception of treatment need and skeletal, dental and soft tissue facial characteristics vary from race to race, region to region and also within the same region with diverse cultures, as in India. 10,11 Hence, applying standard norms universally to treat all patients may not be functionally and esthetically acceptable, as 'one size fits all' concept cannot be applied here. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories, divided into different zones namely the North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East 8 The norms developed for a particular population need not necessarily be applicable for another population.…”