Assessment of tooth proportion changes of maxillary lateral incisors and buccal corridor measure on the perception of smile esthetics

Introduction: This study is a prospective, randomized survey study and the aim of this study is to evaluate the assessment of attractiveness on the basis of computerized variations of incisor proportions and buccal corridors judged by different professions, ages and genders and it was designed to compare the reliability of the Q-sort and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) methods for the assessment of smile esthetics. Material and Method: Forty-eight photos which have maxillary lateral incisor tooth proportions and buccal corridor width changes were evaluated by 72 dentists, 80 dentists, 70 orthodontists and 83 laypersons with Q-sort and VAS methods. The average age of the individuals participating in the study is 29.4. The average Q-sort and VAS scores given to each photo were assessed according to professions, sex, age groups, and professional experience. Photographs were also examined separately for groups according to buccal corridor widths and lateral incisor tooth proportions. We also compared Q-sort and VAS methods. Results: According to the results of the study; the most aesthetically selected photograph is a photograph with 7% buccal corridor width and 68% lateral incisor tooth proportion. The least aesthetic photograph was chosen as a photograph with 22% buccal corridor width and 55% lateral incisor tooth proportion. Photographs with 4% buccal corridor width according to the VAS method and photographs with 7% buccal corridor width according to the Q-sort method were selected as the most aesthetic photographs. The least aesthetic photographs were chosen with a 22% buccal corridor width. Photographs with 68%, 73%, and 81% lateral incisor tooth proportions received the highest scores on the Q-sort method. In the VAS method, the photographs with 68% lateral incisor tooth proportion were selected as the most aesthetic photographs. When the VAS and Q-sort mean value tables were examined, it was seen that as the width of the buccal corridor increased, participants were selected aesthetically assessed the photographs with more lateral incisor tooth proportions. According to the evaluations of different occupational groups, it was seen that laypersons and dental students gave lower scores to the photographs and they were considered as more critical. There was no statistically significant difference in the evaluation of photographs between genders, age groups and occupational experience periods of dentists and occupational experience periods of orthodontists. Q-sort method was found more repeatable and reliable than the VAS method in assessing interobserver reproducibility. The VAS method was found to be more reproducible in assessing intraobserver reproducibility. Conclusion: When all these data were examined, it was concluded that 4-7% buccal corridor percentages and 68-73% lateral incisor tooth ratio were ideal. From the parameters of buccal corridor width and lateral incisor tooth proportions, buccal corridor width was considered to be a more careful parameter by the participants. Q-sort is the quick, simple and reproducible method that can be used in smile photographs.