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. 2018 Aug 13;13(8):e0201102.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201102. eCollection 2018.

Relationship between perception of smile esthetics and orthodontic treatment in Spanish patients

Belen Bolas-Colvee  1 , Beatriz Tarazona  2 , Vanessa Paredes-Gallardo  2 , Santiago Arias-De Luxan  3
Affiliations

Relationship between perception of smile esthetics and orthodontic treatment in Spanish patients

Belen Bolas-Colvee et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

One of the main objectives of orthodontic treatment is to achieve an esthetic smile. This study set out to analyze differences in the perception of smile esthetics among patients before and after receiving orthodontic treatment. 250 Spanish patients analyzed a single photograph in which, by means of computer software, midline diastema, black triangle, gingival margin of the left central incisor, and gingival ("gummy") smile were altered. Each patient analyzed these images before and after undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients scored the photographs on a scale from 1 to 10. Statistical analyses of each group's level of perception were carried out, identifying significant differences in evaluations before and after treatment, and in relation to subjects' gender and age. Patients presented significant differences in the esthetic perception of midline diastema and gummy smile anomalies after they had completed orthodontic treatment. Gender influenced the perception of smile esthetics, whereby women were significantly more critical of midline diastema, black triangle and gingival margin of the upper central incisor than men. The age variable also showed significant differences in the perception of midline diastema and black triangle anomalies. The perception of smile esthetics of some dental anomalies changes as a result of orthodontic treatment. Gender influences the perception of some of the dental anomalies studied.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Midline diastema was created incrementally; A: 0.5mm; B: 1mm; C: 1.5mm; D: 2mm.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Level of gingival margin of the maxillary left central incisor was created incrementally; A, 0.5mm; B, 1mm; C, 1.5mm; D, 2mm.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Black triangle was created incrementally; A: 1mm; B: 2mm; C: 3mm; D: 4mm.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Gingiva-to-lip relationship was increased incrementally to produce a gummy smile; A, 0mm; B, 0.5mm; C, 1.5mm; D, 2mm; E, 2.5mm.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Relative variation of the assessment of the alterations of each anomaly respect to the reference image.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Estimated n measures for each alteration of the midline diastema anomaly for sex (6a) and age (6b).
Fig 7
Fig 7. Estimated measures for each alteration of the black triangle anomaly for sex (7a) and age (7b).
Fig 8
Fig 8. Estimated measures for each alteration of the gingival margin anomaly for sex.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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