The ability of orthodontists and laypeople in the perception of gradual reduction of dentogingival exposure while smiling

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in how orthodontists and laypersons perceive a reduction in dentogingival display on smiling. METHODS: Sixty examiners from both genders (30 laypersons and 30 orthodontists) evaluated photographs of spontaneous smiles of two subjects , one male and one female. Based on the original images, smile height was modified by means of an image manipulation software program. The examiners assigned scores ranging from 0 to 10, according to the level of pleasantness. Method reproducibility was examined using the Wilcoxon test, while the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (p < 0.05) were employed to observe intra- and interexaminer differences, respectively. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups of examiners - in terms of esthetics - in response to changes in smile height of both genders . However,men smile had lower acceptability than the women smile. A mild reduction in dentogingival display on smiling (2 mm) was not perceived by either laypersons or orthodontists (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: women smiles achieved higher scores than men smiles however, samples involving a larger number of subjects in each group are required to ensure whether or not this finding is linked to the subjects gender.