Facial pattern, variations of gingival exposure and incisal edges in smile attractiveness.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of the vertical facial pattern of the face with different levels of gingival exposure and upper incisal edge height on the perception of smile esthetics in specialist dentists, general dentists and non-dentistry professionals. Material and Methods: Basic correlational design study. For comparisons between the 3 categories of examiners, the Kruskal-Wallis test with ties was used, and to associate the examiners' years of work experience with their rating results, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used. Results: Gingival exposure in dolicofacial with statistically significant differences in evaluators in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm; in mesiofacial in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm (p< 0.05). Incisal edge height significant differences at 0mm (p=0.25) in all evaluators and in the rest of heights, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05), for all evaluators no incisal edge height was considered unpleasant or very unpleasant (median ≥ 3). Weak positive correlation between years of service of general dentists and gingival exposure of 4mm, in dolichofacial (p=0.029) and weak positive correlation between years of service of other professions and gingival exposure of 2mm, for mesofacial (p=0.043). There is no correlation between incisal bode height in specialist dentists, weak positive correlation between years of service in general dentists and other professions at 0.5mm. No correlation was found in specialist dentists (p≥0.05). Conclusions: Facial pattern influences the esthetic evaluation of the smile.