Smile Aesthetics Acuity of Lay-persons verses Dental Professionals

Abstract

Objective: To compare and evaluate the perception of smile aesthetics by lay-persons and dental specialists. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry/Medical Teaching Institute, Mardan from 1st April 2020 to 31st July 2021. Methodology: Eighty participants were assessed for their smiles through photographical imaging to assess each photographic image of smile (frontal view) and categorized them as very good, good, average or bad. Results: The mean age was 20.59±3.1 years with 59 females and 21 males. The laypeople assessed smile under categories of very good (60%) or good with a least number of people categorizing it average or bad. Contrary to this the dentist perception about smile aesthetic was completely reveres. Conclusion: There is an obvious variance between perception of laypeople and dentists with dentist being more analytical and judgmental. Key words: Incisors, Smile, Aesthetic, Smile arc