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. 2024 Mar 4;25(1):9.
doi: 10.1186/s40510-023-00508-w.

The association between self-esteem and aesthetic component of smile among adolescents

Lidia Gavic  1 , Mihaela Budimir  2 , Antonija Tadin  2
Affiliations

The association between self-esteem and aesthetic component of smile among adolescents

Lidia Gavic et al. Prog Orthod. .

Abstract

Objectives: Self-esteem plays a crucial role during adolescence in a shaping of an individual's overall well-being and confidence. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the self-esteem in adolescents and their smile aesthetics, as well as to assess the alignment of opinions on this matter between adolescents and dentists.

Methods: Sample included 413 students in Split-Dalmatia County, aged 13 to 18 (60% females). Data on demographic issues, orthodontic history, and desire for orthodontic treatment were collected by the self-administrated questionnaire. Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory was also used. Smile aesthetics was assessed by each participant and dentist independently using an Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN AC).

Results: Self-esteem was higher in adolescents who rated their smile aesthetics equally to the dentist than in those who considered their aesthetics to be worse than the dentist (18.5 vs. 16; P = 0.011). The multiple linear regression revealed that the self-esteem of adolescents was positively related to undergone previous orthodontic treatment (β = 1.286, P = 0.020) while negatively related to the female gender (β = -2.531, P ≤ 0.001) and IOTN AC assessed by dentist (β = -0.356, P = 0.015). It was not related to educational level or desire for orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion: The self-esteem in adolescence is influenced the most by gender, but the orthodontic treatment and better smile aesthetics might also contribute.

Keywords: Adolescents; Aesthetic component; IOTN index; Self-esteem.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The assessment of smile aesthetics by the participant himself and by the doctor of dental medicine
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The self-esteem of the participants according to the assessment of smile by the participant and the dentist
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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