From the Orthodontic Smile to the Perfect Smile: A New Categorization

Abstract

The facial symmetry from an esthetic standpoint is crucial. However, there are not much research that examine the malocclusion issue or the significance of the mouth and smile in the mental representation of the face. In this study, 151 kids and teenagers, both genders, aged 8 to 24, were asked to sketch two self-portraits of their mouths or smiles—before (and during) the usage of the orthodontic appliance. Participants seek therapy mostly for functional problems rather than cosmetic ones. The findings of this study provide insight into the significance of the mouth and smile for an individual’s sense of self and psychological well, where the maximization of the mental representation of the orthodontic smile emerges as a new categorization of the perfect smile.