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. © 2012 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics.