The Influence of Maxillary Incisor Labiolingual Inclination on Smiling Profile Esthetics Among Saudis

Abstract

Objectives The study aimed to (1) determine the impact of maxillary incisor inclination on profile view esthetic perception, (2) determine the most esthetic inclination and correlate it with a profile view, and (3) evaluate the difference in the perception of orthodontists, dentists, and laypeople toward incisor inclination attractiveness in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods A well-balanced smiling photograph of a male adult who fulfilled the criteria for soft tissue and cephalometric values was taken from a profile view. The photograph was modified to stimulate three inclinations toward the labial and palatal side each. The most retroclined photograph showed -15° inclination, and the most proclined photograph showed +15° inclination, with the originally taken photograph being neutral at 0° inclination. Thus, we obtained seven photographs with 5° of difference between each. All photographs were randomly distributed in a questionnaire form filled by 135 participants. Conclusion The most attractive reported inclination was -5° inclination, while the least attractive inclination was +15° inclination. Excessive proclination has been less desirable than retroclination. The profile smiling view is very useful in evaluating the inclination of the labial face tangent and should be considered a standard view for orthodontic photographic records.