Evaluation of the attractiveness of different gingival zeniths in smile esthetics

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the smile attractiveness of different gingival zeniths by general dentists, orthodontists and laypersons and the esthetic perception in the symmetric and asymmetric changes in gingival zeniths. Methods: Posed photographs of five patients were taken and digitally manipulated in Keynote software, in the gingival zenith region, in increments of 0.5 to 1mm in maxillary central and lateral incisors, symmetrically and asymmetrically, in nine different ways for each patient. The photos were then uploaded to a website, where evaluators (general dentists, orthodontists and laypersons) could observe and vote according to their esthetic perception, scoring from 1 to 10, 1 being the least attractive and 10 the more attractive. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparison. Results: Asymmetric gingival zeniths were less attractive than symmetrical gingival zeniths; gingival zenith differences greater than 1mm were perceptible in the smile attractiveness, both by laypersons, general dentists and orthodontists. When comparing maxillary central incisors with maxillary lateral incisors, the aesthetic change performed in the central incisors are more perceptible than those performed in lateral incisors, both symmetrical and asymmetrical. In a general way, orthodontists and general dentists are more critical in the evaluation and perception of gingival zenith changes, with the laypersons perceiving this change only from 1mm of maxillary right central incisor asymmetrical change. Conclusions: Asymmetric gingival zeniths are less attractive than symmetrical ones. Gingival zenith differences greater than 1mm are perceptible in the smile attractiveness. Orthodontists and general dentists are more critical in evaluating smile esthetics.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a atratividade e a percepção estética do sorriso com alterações simétricas e assimétricas dos zênites gengivais, por leigos, dentistas e ortodontistas. Métodos: foram tiradas fotografias posadas de cinco pacientes, de forma padronizada. Cada fotografia foi digitalmente manipulada no software Keynote, na região do zênite gengival, em incrementos de 0,5 a 1 mm, nos incisivos centrais e laterais superiores, de maneira simétrica e assimétrica, de nove formas diferentes para cada paciente. Posteriormente, essas fotografias foram dispostas em um website para que os avaliadores pudessem observá-las e, conforme sua percepção estética, dessem notas de 1 a 10, sendo 1 para pouco atrativa e 10 para muito atrativa. Foram utilizados os testes Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney para as comparações. Resultados: os zênites gengivais assimétricos foram considerados menos atrativos do que os simétricos. Diferenças entre os zênites gengivais maiores que 1 mm foram perceptíveis na atratividade do sorriso por todos os grupos de avaliadores. Quando comparados os incisivos centrais e laterais superiores, as alterações estéticas feitas nos incisivos centrais foram mais perceptíveis do que as feitas nos laterais, tanto as simétricas quanto as assimétricas. Os ortodontistas e os clínicos gerais foram mais críticos ao avaliar e perceber as alterações, com os leigos percebendo essa mudança somente a partir de 1 mm de alteração assimétrica no incisivo central superior direito. Conclusões: zênites gengivais assimétricos são menos atrativos do que os simétricos. Diferenças nos zênites maiores que 1 mm são perceptíveis na atratividade do sorriso. Ortodontistas e clínicos gerais são mais críticos ao avaliar sorrisos.

Gingival Zenith - A Critical Factor in Smile Design and Fixed Prosthodontics.

Background & objectives: Knowledge of the gingival zenith (GZ) of the maxillary anterior teeth can be clinically applied to re-establish the proper gingival contour of the maxillary anterior teeth during esthetic anterior oral rehabilitation and smile designing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gingival zenith (GZ) of each individual maxillary anterior tooth and their relative gingival zenith level. Method: A digital caliper was used to measure the gingival zenith of the maxillary anterior teeth from left canine to right canine on casts made from 30 young individuals without any dental deformity. The highest point on gingival margin of all maxillary anterior teeth was marked. Distance of this gingival zenith from the respective vertical bisector of each tooth was calculated. Also, the digital caliper was used to measure the distance of gingival zenith of the lateral incisors from a line connecting gingival zenith of maxillary central incisor and canine. Results: Significant difference exists between the gingival zenith of maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors and canines. Conclusion: Gingival zenith of maxillary incisors is distally placed whereas for canine it coincides with vertical bisector. Gingival zenith of lateral incisor is incisal to that of central incisor and canine.

Simetria gengival na região estética ­ estudo transversal com uma população brasileira / Gingival symmetry in the esthetic zone ­ a cross-sectional study with a Brazilian population

Objetivo: avaliar o padrão da disposição da margem gengival (simétrica ou assimétrica) na zona estética. Material e métodos: foram avaliados 55 adultos jovens brasileiros, de ambos os sexos, estudantes do curso de graduação em Odontologia da Faculdade de Nova Friburgo, na faixa etária entre 18 e 25 anos. Foram avaliados incisivos centrais superiores direito e esquerdo, por um único examinador especialista em Periodontia, considerando os seguintes parâmetros clínicos: índice de placa, sangramento a sondagem e profundidade clínica de sondagem, coletados nos sítios distal, vestibular e mesial de cada elemento dentário estudado. Foram realizadas, ainda, análises morfométricas quanto à disposição das margens gengivais (simetria ou assimetria) entre incisivos centrais (direito e esquerdo), através de avaliação visual em fotos, utilizando modelos zocalados para uma segunda avaliação, objetivando fidelizar a avaliação antes realizada nas fotos. Resultados: o incisivo central direito foi responsável por 64% das relações assimétricas observadas. A assimetria das margens gengivais, entre incisivos centrais, foi observada em 25,45%, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante em relação ao sexo. Conclusão: o reconhecimento dos aspectos gengivais (simetria gengival) e sua relação com elementos dentais tornam-se indispensáveis, visto que no processo de restauração é fundamental o entendimento do normal, possibilitando prever as dificuldades encontradas no processo de reconstrução de estruturas alteradas.

Objective: to evaluate the gingival margin disposition (symmetry of the lack of) in the esthetic zone. Material and methods: 55 Brazilian dental students (18-25 years-old) from both genders were evaluated at the Nova Friburgo Dental School. The maxillary right and left central incisors were examiner by an single specialist in Periodontics, considering the following parameters: plaque index, bleeding on probing, pocket probing depth, collected at the distal, buccal, and mesial sites of each element. Also, morphometric analyses were performed regarding the gingival margin disposition through photographic records and standardized stone casts to confirm the data obtained. Results: the maxillary right central incisor was responsible for 64% of asymmetries. The asymmetry between the central incisors was observed in 25.45% being not statistically different between genders. Conclusion: the identification of gingival aspects (gingival symmetry) and its relationship with the dental elements are invaluable to standardize what can be considered as a reference to normal standards, while it still predicts the drawbacks found in the reconstructive process of altered tissues.

Parámetros mucogingivales y dentarios en estudiantes de odontología chilenos / Mucogingival and dental parameters in Chilean dental students

Fueron analizados los parámetros de proporción dentaria, posición del cénit gingival, posición y tamaño de las papilas interdentarias, biotipo gingival, cantidad de encía queratinizada y línea de la sonrisa en las 6 piezas anterosuperiores en 31 estudiantes de odontología chilenos. Se estableció un patrón de proporción dentaria similar al descrito previamente en la literatura. La posición de cénit presentó un patrón definido. El biotipo gingival fino fue el más frecuente. Los incisivos laterales presentaron la mayor cantidad de encía queratinizada, seguidos por los incisivos centrales y luego los caninos. La altura de la papila a nivel de los caninos fue mayor que en los incisivos centrales, mientras que los valores más bajos fueron encontrados a nivel de los incisivos laterales. Existió una predominancia de la línea de la sonrisa media.

Tooth proportion, gingival zenith position, position and size of the interdental papillae, gingival biotype, amount of keratinized gingiva and smile line position were evaluated in the 6 upper front teeth in 31 Chilean dental students. The tooth proportion pattern was similar to that described previously in the literature. The zenith position showed an established pattern. A thin gingival biotype was found more frequently. Lateral incisors showed the highest amount of keratinized tissue, followed by central incisors and then the canines. The height of the papillae at the canines was higher than central incisors, while the lowest values were found in the lateral incisors. There was a predominance of a medium smile line.

Assessment of gingival contours for esthetic diagnosis and treatment: A clinical study.

Background: The purposes of this study were to quantify some clinical parameters that are useful as esthetic guidelines when the gingival contour is modified and to compare the left and right sides of the six maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and forty interdental papilla sites in 20 healthy patients were evaluated. Interdental papilla heights of maxillary anterior teeth were measured from the gingival zenith, along with clinical crown lengths. Percentages of papilla height to crown length were computed and defined as papilla proportion, mesial papilla proportion (MPP) and distal papilla proportion (DPP). Results: Mean interdental papilla heights of maxillary teeth was 3.83 mm mesially and 3.8 mm distally. Mean MPP was 43.69% ( n = 120) and DPP was 44.57% ( n = 120). No significant differences were found between MPP and DPP for maxillary incisors ( P ≥ 0.5). Conclusion: Papilla proportions were approximately 44% for all tooth groups. Canines demonstrated a trend toward increased distal papilla heights. In the present study the average MPP and DPP of the central incisor (CI), lateral incisor (LI) and canine (CA) measured were 43%, 41%, 46%, 40%, and 42% 51% respectively.

Surgeon-Modified Zenith Stent Graft System for Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Short Proximal Neck / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) has become widespread in Japan because of its low invasiveness. However adequate proximal neck length is required for EVAR. Unfortunately the surgical mortality of para-renal aortic aneurysm cases has been higher than that of infrarenal aortic aneurysm cases, especially in high-risk patients. A manufacture-modified fenestrated Zenith stent graft system has already been developed, however this new device is not yet available in Japan. Furthermore this device could not be used in an emergency situation because it takes 2-3 weeks for preparation. Therefore we introduced a surgeon-modified fenestrated Zenith stent graft (fenestrated Zenith) system in December 2010 for patients with a proximal neck length of 5-10 mm. The fenestrated Zenith was not indicated if the supra-renal angle and proximal neck angle exceeded 35°. From May 2007 to February 2012, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a short neck were repaired with fenestrated Zenith in 11 high-risk patients (group Fene), and AAAs with a proximal neck length of more than 15 mm were repaired with a standard Zenith in 43 patients (group IFU). There were two ruptured AAA in the Fene group. Proximal neck length was significantly shorter in the Fene group (5.5±1.4 mm in the Fene group, 26.4±9.5 mm in the IFU group, <i>p</i><0.0001) and proximal neck angle was significantly less in the Fene group (20±13° in the Fene group, 36±18° in the IFU group, <i>p</i>=0.008). The Zenith stentgraft system was deployed successfully in all patients. The frequency of type Ia endoleak detected by angiography after stent graft deployment and balloon attachment did not differ significantly (36% in the Fene group 26% in the IFU group, <i>p</i>=0.475) and the frequency of Palmaz stent requirement for type Ia endoleak which persisted after 10 min of additional balloon attachment also did not differ significantly (27% in Fene group, 9% in IFU group). All fenestrated renal arteries were shown to be patent by angiography. There was no hospital death despite 2 cases of ruptured AAA, nor were these major complications in either group. Serum creatinine levels at 1, 3, 6 and 30 days after EVAR did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. In 9 out of 11 patients, only type II endoleaks were detected and aneurysm shrinkage tended to be more in Fene group (9.9±5.7 mm in Fene group, 5.4±6.1 mm in IFU group, <i>p</i>=0.062) on enhanced CT 6 months after EVAR. Also all fenestrated renal arteries were patent in these 9 patients. The surgeon-modified fenestrated Zenith system seemed to be effective for AAA patients with short proximal necks, but long term follow up is mandatory.

Analysis of width/height ratio and gingival zenith in patients with bilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisor

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the width/length ratio and the gingival zenith (GZ), by means of dental casts and digital caliper, in patients with missing maxillary lateral incisors after treatment. METHODS: The sample was composed of 52 subjects divided into 3 groups: BRG (n = 18), patients with bilateral agenesis treated with tooth re-contouring; BIG (n = 10) patients with agenesis treated with implants and CG (n = 24), control group. The data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk, Spearman correlation, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, t test and ANOVA tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: For the width/length ratio of the lateral incisors, BIG presented the lowest mean values (0.72 right and left), when compared with other groups. However, comparison between groups presented statistically significant differences for the right lateral incisor (BIG x CG) and for the canine (BRG x CG). GZ data evaluation showed the greatest difference for BRG (0.5 right and 0.48 left). BIG (0.95 right and 0.98 left) and CG (0.98 right and 0.8 left) presented more similar values, nevertheless, without statistical difference (p > 0.05). GZ data for the right and left sides of the smile were not considered statistically different. CONCLUSION: Although no statistical difference was found in the comparison between the groups, analysis of the descriptive values showed that group BIG showed the greatest difference in values with regard to width/length ratio. Regarding gingival zenith, BRG showed the greatest difference.

OBJETIVO: o propósito desse estudo foi analisar, por meio de modelos de estudo e paquímetro digital, a proporção largura/altura e o zênite gengival (ZG) em pacientes com agenesia bilateral do incisivo lateral superior após o tratamento. MÉTODOS: a amostra consistiu de 52 voluntários divididos em 3 grupos: GBR (n=18), pacientes com agenesia bilateral tratados com reanatomizações dentárias; GBI (n=10), pacientes com agenesia bilateral tratados com implantes; e GC (n=24), grupo controle. Os dados foram avaliados por meio dos testes de Shapiro-Wilk, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, teste t, ANOVA (p<0,05) e correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: para a proporção largura/altura dos incisivos laterais, o GBI apresentou menores valores (0,72 direito e esquerdo), quando comparado aos demais. Porém, a comparação intergrupos revelou diferenças estatisticamente significativas para o incisivo lateral direito (GBI x GC) e para o canino (GBR x GC). A avaliação das medianas obtidas para o ZG demonstrou que o GBR foi o mais destoante (0,5 direito e 0,48 esquerdo), e que o GBI (0,95 direito e 0,98 esquerdo) e o GC (0,98 direito e 0,8 esquerdo) apresentaram valores semelhantes, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa (p>0,05). Os valores obtidos para os lados direito e esquerdo foram considerados iguais dentro de cada grupo. CONCLUSÃO: embora não tenham sido encontradas diferenças estatísticas na comparação entre os grupos, pela análise descritiva dos dados, o GBI foi o grupo que apresentou as medidas mais destoantes dos demais em relação à proporção largura/altura, sendo que, para o zênite gengival, a maior diferença observada foi no GBR.

A CAD-CAM prosthodontic option and gingival zenith position for a rotated maxillary right central incisor: An evaluation.

Objective: Even with beautifully done restorations, an unattractive gingival zenith position, can negatively affect the smile of a person. In this short communication we describe the treatment of a rotated maxillary right central incisor using a digital photographic approach instead of the conventional approach. Background: The conjecture literature on prosthodontic considerations and gingival zenith position in cases of rotated maxillary central incisors is sparse. The gingival zenith level (GZL) in an apical-coronal direction of lateral incisors, relative to the gingival tangential zenith line joining the adjacent central incisor and canine, is approximately 1 mm under healthy conditions. Materials and Methods: For our patient, the treatment plan was decided by CAD-CAM technique as Zirconia, jacket crown. Clinical procedures included enameloplasty on the left central and right lateral maxillary incisors. Reduction of the rotated and crooked incisor was performed in the normal manner; periodontal plastic surgery was also done. Results: The patient expressed satisfaction with the intermediary (preliminary) two-dimensional photographs that were provided by the CAD-CAM system. The technique distinguished among the different treatment modalities for aesthetics and to relieve the emotional problems which were faced by female patient. The gingival zenith level of the rotated incisor was also improved. Conclusion: Digital imaging provides an immediate treatment option for the patients. Software also provides an interim aid, for the clinician as well as technician, in the form of two-dimensional photographs. CAD-CAM is entirely a helping instrument against the conservative prosthetic options and gingival zenith position for a rotated central incisor. It helps in patient education and in motivation.