Esthetic and Smile Characteristics at Rest and during Smiling

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of smile in overall facial esthetics. Materials and methods: The sample comprised of photographs taken in natural head position of 100 normal Himachali subjects (50 males, 50 females) and they were divided in 3 age groups: Group I consisiting of 39 subjects aged (15-20) years, Group II consisiting of 35 subjects aged (21-24) years, Group III consisiting of 26 subjects aged (25-29) years. The various parameters were analyzed using the clever ruler software: Upper lip length during rest and smiling, lower lip length during rest and smiling, smile index, buccal corridor, upper lip thickness, lower lip thickness, interlabial gap, incisal display, widest visible maxillary display and intercommissural width. Student t-test and using oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the mean of different groups. Results: The results showed changes in the maxillary incisal display, interlabial gap and smile index were highly significant from Group I to Group III. There was a decrease of 2.2 mm in maxillary incisal display and 2.0 mm in interlabial gap whereas smile index showed an increase of 0.7 mm with the increasing age. Conclusion: It has been concluded from the study that with the increasing age, the smile gets wider transversely and narrow vertically.