Perception of smile by orthodontists, general dentists and dental students: a comparative study

With the changing trends of modern day era and immense exposure from electronic and print media, individuals are more aware and critical of beauty standards. This has not only changed the way patients perceive and demand their dental treatment but also has produced more diversity in the perception of dental esthetics. However dental professionals [specialists, general dentists and dental students] may perceive it differently, which can cause dissatisfaction with the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception and preference of different smile attributes amongst different dental professionals. 31 smile photographs were given to 13 orthodontists, 13 general dentists and 13 dental students to rate them on attractiveness by using visual analogue scale on 6 attributes of smile mesh. SPSS 22 was used to analyze the data. There was not a significant difference between the perceptions of smile between the three groups. The preference for different smile attributes amongst the three groups showed variation. Smile arc was the most preferred attribute amongst orthodontists and dental students, while smile line was most preferred one in the general dentists

comparative analysis of smile perception between orthodontists and laypersons

Assessing smile is a highly subjective matter and it can vary depending upon the social, cultural, ethical and environmental factors. Modern orthodontics has been closely associated with esthetics. Because of the subjective character of esthetic parameters, orthodontists and patients should reach a consensus to establish common treatment goals. It has been shown that dentists, mainly the orthodontists, are less tolerant than laypersons while evaluating different characteristics of smile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception and preference of different smile attributes amongst orthodontists and laypersons.31 smile photographs were given to 13 orthodontists and 13 laypersons. They were asked to rate them on attractiveness by using visual analogue scale on 6 attributes of smile mesh. SPSS 22 was used to analyze the data. There was no significant difference in the perceptions of smile between the two groups. However laypersons mean scoring was significantly higher in few photographs. The preference for various smile attributes showed variation between the groups. Orthodontists rated smile arc while laypersons rated incisal show as the most preferred attribute

cephalometric measurement of "L1-apo distance" in a Pakistani sample

Knowledge of the normal dentofacial patterns of various ethnic groups is important for clinical and research purposes. The objective of this study was to measure the norm for the "L1-APo distance" in a hospital based Pakistani sample. The obtained data was also compared with the already existing White American mean of the "L1-APo distance". It was a descriptive cross sectional study which was carried out in KRL Hospital; Islamabad.100 lateral cephalometric radiographs [50 females and 50 males] were obtained and traced for the above mentioned measurement. The database was developed in SPSS 10.0 for windows. Results showed that subjects in the present sample have more labial inclination of the lower incisors over the basal bone as compared to the White Americans. [p value .00] And the females of the sample have slightly more labial inclination as compared to the males although this difference is not significant. [p value .083]