Morphological features of smile attractiveness and related factors influence perception and gingival aesthetic parameters

IntroductionIn addition to understanding the basic standards of a smile and patient's opinion, dentists should take into account smile aesthetics, an essential factor for optimal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that affect the perception of an aesthetic smile and determine its morphological characteristics and measure the gingival aesthetic parameters.MethodsIn all, 200 Vietnamese aged 18-35 years were recruited to have their spontaneous smiles captured. These smile images were assessed by 50 laypersons and 50 dentists using a visual analogue scale measurement. The images were analysed to evaluate perceptions of evaluators, determine smile attractiveness, and measure gingival aesthetics.ResultsThe difference in the judgements of laypersons and dentists, males and females, and laypersons aged 18-25 and 26-35 years were nonsignificant. High or average anterior smile line, parallel smile arc, upward upper lip curvature, second premolars as the posterior-most teeth displayed, smile index of 5.23-5.63, and dynamic smile symmetry of 1 were scored highly on smile attractiveness. The following maxillary gingival aesthetic parameters were preferred: gingival zenith (GZ) of the canine 0.72-0.75 mm apical to the GZ of the central incisor; GZ of the lateral incisor 0.66 mm coronal to the gingival line; gingival line angle of ～87°; for the central incisor, lateral incisor, and canines, distance from the GZ to the long axis of 1, 0.4, and 0 mm, respectively; interdental papilla height of 4.25, 3.60, and 3.85 mm, respectively; ratio of the distance from the GZ and the interdental papilla tip to the incisal edge of ～1.74-1.77 mm.ConclusionsFactors including profession, gender, and age of evaluators had almost no impact on their perception of aesthetics. Smile attractiveness characteristics and gingival aesthetic parameters have clinical applicability for patient care.     

Esthetics and smile characteristics from the layperson's perspective: a computer-based survey study

BACKGROUND: The paradigm shift from occlusion to esthetics places more emphasis on the subtle relationships among the teeth and the interplay with the soft tissues. The authors of this study quantified the ideal and maximum acceptable deviations for smile characteristics. METHODS: The authors created a survey by using a digital image editing software package, which enabled raters to manipulate intraoral photographs featured in the survey. They altered smile characteristics in photos of a sex-neutral face showing nasal tip to mentolabial fold. The authors administered an electronic survey in Boston (n = 78); Columbus, Ohio (n = 81); and Seattle (n = 84). An interactive interface allowed raters to select the ideal for each smile characteristic presented and identify the range of acceptability for the variables. RESULTS: Raters were reliable (kappa = 0.34-0.88). Survey location was not significant except that raters from the West accepted a broader smile than did those from the Midwest and the East. Raters identified ideals and thresholds for the following smile characteristics: smile arc; buccal corridor; gingival display; canine and posterior crown torque, ideal and large corridor; maxillary midline to face; maxillary to mandibular midline; overbite; maxillary central incisor gingival height discrepancy; maxillary lateral incisor gingival height discrepancy; maxillary central to lateral incisal step; maxillary central incisor crown width-to-height ratio; maxillary central-to-lateral incisal ratio; and occlusal cant. Generally, the values for ideal paralleled existing data, and new guidelines for some variables emerged. The ranges of acceptability were large. CONCLUSIONS: The ideal and an acceptable range for each smile characteristic can be identified reliably. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Laypeople can reliably identify ideal smile characteristics. The ranges of acceptable deviations for smile characteristics are large, and practitioners should avoid unnecessarily sensitizing patients to minor discrepancies.     

Controlled orthodontic extrusion to create gingival papilla: a case report.

Prosthetic dental restorations alone do not produce esthetics. They must be in harmony with the surrounding gingiva, especially the gingival papilla. This case report describes the enhancement of the gingival papilla between an implant replacing the maxillary left central incisor and a provisional crown on the maxillary left lateral incisor. Esthetic harmony was disrupted by the absence of an interproximal papilla. First, provisional crowns on the implant and adjacent tooth were used in an attempt to remodel the interproximal gingival tissue, but the esthetic result was not satisfactory. The second attempt involved orthodontic extrusion of the lateral incisor in an incisal direction. The gingival tissue migrated incisally, thus restoring the deficient papilla and establishing restorative and gingival harmony. Both the implant and the lateral incisor were restored with ceramic crowns.     

Orthodontic treatment of a congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor

Clinicians agree that, regardless of gender or race, tooth agenesis has become more prominent in recent societies. The congenital absence of one or more maxillary lateral incisors poses a challenge to effective treatment planning for the restorative dentist. However, the one-sided orthodontic approach of just moving canines mesially to eliminate restorative procedures leads to compromise. Adult patients presenting with malocclusions, missing lateral incisors, or anterior crowding but who fail to get proper orthodontic treatment, requesting instead esthetic solutions that do not establish a stable occlusion, proper alignment, and proper axial inclination of the teeth will have compromised esthetic and periodontal results. An evaluation of anterior smile esthetics must include both static and dynamic evaluations of frontal and profile views to optimize both dental and facial appearance. This article presents how orthodontics is combined with other specialties in treating a congenitally missing lateral incisor. One case is used to illustrate how orthodontic treatment is progressed in collaboration with other specialists. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with missing teeth, crowding, midline deviation, unesthetic gingival contours, or other restorative needs may require the interaction between various specialists. For the successful treatment of orthodontic-restorative patients, an interdisciplinary team effort is vital.     

Orthodontic movement of a maxillary incisor through the midpalatal suture: a case report

Orthodontic space closure is a treatment alternative when a maxillary central incisor is missing. The objective of this report was to present an unusual treatment in which a right maxillary central incisor was moved through the midpalatal suture to replace the absent contralateral tooth. The biologic aspects and clinical appearance of the recontoured lateral and central incisors were analyzed. The position of the examined teeth and the appearance of the surrounding soft tissues were satisfactory; however, the upper midline frenulum deviated to the left. The incisor was successfully moved with no obvious detrimental effects as observed on the final radiographs. In the radiographic and tomographic examinations, the midline suture seemed to have followed the tooth movement. The patient expressed satisfaction with the results. It was concluded that orthodontic movement of the central incisor to replace a missing contralateral tooth is a valid treatment option, and the achievement of an esthetic result requires an interdisciplinary approach, including restorative dentistry and periodontics.     

Modification of Esthetics Using a Combined Orthodontic and a Prosthodontic Approach: A Case Report

A patient sometimes requires a multidisciplinary approach to correct the esthetics and to improve the occlusion. This case report describes the management of an adult female patient with a convex profile, proclined upper and lower anterior teeth, missing upper left lateral incisor and peg shaped upper right lateral incisor tooth through orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment.     

Influence of sex on the perception of oral and smile esthetics with different gingival display and incisal plane inclination

This study was designed to determine the esthetic perception of men and women to variations in upper and lower gingival display at smile and speech and to incisal plane tilting. Composed photographs of smile and speech with varying amounts of gingival exposure of the upper and lower teeth and gingiva at smile and at speech and with varying degrees of incisal plane tilting were rated for attractiveness by two groups of lay people. The images were presented as male or female images. A total of 300 questionnaires, including 7500 images, were evaluated by 100 subjects. The results showed that images were scored as less attractive as the amount of upper and lower gingival display was increased during smile and speech. The amount of gingival exposure graded in the esthetic range was up to one mm for the upper incisors and zero mm for the lower incisors. Incisal plane tilting was graded as unesthetic when above two degrees of deviation from the horizontal. Male and female evaluators scored images differently with upper gingival exposure. Female evaluators gave statistically significant higher scores than male evaluators to upper gingival exposure images at smile and speech of both males and females, suggesting that females are more tolerant of upper gingival exposure. Images were scored differently when presented as male or female images. Female images were scored lower by both male and female evaluators, suggesting that additional efforts should be taken in female patients to achieve an esthetic result.     

Multidisciplinary solution for an avulsed upper central incisor: case report

Abstract – This case report refers to an 18‐year‐old female who suffered from dental trauma when she was 7 years old caused by a bicycle accident. Her maxillary right central incisor was avulsed, and the left one was extrusively luxated. The left central incisor was correctly repositioned and immobilized with a semi‐rigid splint. The right one could not be found. She presented with class II malocclusion and severe negative arch‐length discrepancies in both arches. The treatment objectives were the following: recover smile esthetics by replacing the maxillary right central incisor, correct the class II relationship, and optimally reduce mandibular and maxillary crowding. Extractions of the maxillary left lateral incisor and the lower right first bicuspid were performed; thus, the maxillary right lateral incisor would function as a maxillary right central incisor, the canines would function as lateral incisors, and the first bicuspids would function as canines. This allowed for the malocclusion to be corrected while simultaneously reestablishing the smile esthetics, without the use of an osseointegrated implant. A good occlusion with coincident upper and lower midlines was achieved. After orthodontic therapy, the patient underwent periodontal surgery to improve her gingival margins. Subsequent teeth bleaching was performed, and the patient received six porcelain veneers. A combination of orthodontic space closure and prosthetic rehabilitation may be the best treatment option after severe traumatic tooth loss.     

Minimally invasive use of coloured composite resin in aesthetic restoration of periodontially involved teeth: Case report

Gingival recession causes not only aesthetic problems, but problems with oral hygiene, plaque accumulation, speech, and tooth sensitivity. Replacing the missing gingival tissue with composite resin, when indicated, can be a time- and cost-effective solution. Here we report the case of a 25-year-old female who presented with generalized gingival recession. Black triangles were present between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth due to loss of interdental tissues, caused by recent periodontal surgery. She also had slightly malposed maxillary anterior teeth. The patient elected to replace gingival tissue with pink composite resin and to alter the midline with composite resin veneers. The first treatment phase involved placement of pink gingival composite to restore the appearance of interdental papilla to her upper (16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 21, 22, 23, and 24) and lower (34, 33, 32, 31, 41, 42, 43, and 44) teeth. Phase two was to place direct composite resin bonded veneers on her upper (16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 21, 22, 23, and 24) teeth to alter the midline and achieve desired colour. The third treatment phase was to level the lower incisal edge shape by enameloplasty (31, 32, 41, and 42) to produce a more youthful and attractive smile. This case report and brief review attempt to describe the clinical obstacles and the current treatment options along with a suggested protocol. Use of contemporary materials such as gingival coloured composite to restore lost gingival tissue and improve aesthetics can be a simple and cost-effective way to manage patients affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (AgP).     

Congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor treated with atypical extraction pattern

The congenital absence of one or more maxillary lateral incisors poses a challenge to effective treatment planning for general dentists and dental specialists. An evaluation of anterior smile esthetics must include both static and dynamic evaluations of frontal and profile views to optimize both dental and facial appearance. This article presents a case with canine substitution treatment to replace a missing maxillary lateral incisor combined with the extraction of two mandibular lateral incisors and a small maxillary lateral incisor Both the patient's occlusion and facial appearance were significantly improved after orthodontic treatment.     

Computerized infrared thermographic imaging and pulpal blood flow: Part 1. A protocol for thermal imaging of human teeth

AIM: To observe the thermographic appearance of teeth and to develop a suitable protocol for imaging teeth in human subjects using modern thermographic imaging (TI) equipment in a thermologically controlled environment. METHODOLOGY: The emissivity of enamel was investigated using an extracted incisor tooth. A total of 12 unrestored maxillary lateral incisors in six healthy patients were then imaged under rubber dam after a 20-min equilibration period and the thermographic data analysed using a dedicated software package. Recordings were made from standardized gingival and incisal sites on each tooth and the temperature gradient established for each tooth. Subsequently, a sequence of images of both maxillary central incisors in one patient was stored every 30 s during a 20-min equilibration period with and without an air-conditioning unit in operation. RESULTS: For the lateral incisors there was a consistent temperature gradient (mean 1.28 degrees C) from gingival area to incisal area and there were no statistically significant differences between right and left sides for the gingival site (t = 0.34, NS) or the incisal site (t = 0.62, NS). The air-conditioning unit had a rapid and profound cooling effect. With the air-conditioning disabled there was a mean tooth surface temperature increase of 1.1 degrees C from 0 to 5 min of the equilibration period and 0.3 degree C from 15 to 20 min. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in gingival or incisal temperatures between pairs of contralateral maxillary lateral incisors and a consistent temperature gradient existed from gingival to incisal areas of healthy maxillary lateral incisor teeth. The protocol described is suitable for TI of vital teeth. However, TI measured tooth surface temperature only which was extremely sensitive to air currents. A 15-min acclimatization period under rubber dam was adequate to allow stable tooth surface temperature measurement.     

A multidisciplinary treatment of congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors: a 14-year follow-up case report

Absence of the maxillary lateral incisor creates an aesthetic problem which can be managed in various ways. The condition requires careful treatment planning and consideration of the options and outcomes following either space closure or prosthetic replacement. Recent developments in restorative dentistry have warranted a re-evaluation of the approach to this clinical situation. Factors relating both to the patient and the teeth, including the presentation of malocclusion and the effect on the occlusion must be considered. The objective of this study was to describe the etiology, prevalence and alternative treatment modalities for dental agenesis and to present a clinical case of agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors treated by the closure of excessive spaces and canine re-anatomization. A clinical case is presented to illustrate the interdisciplinary approach between orthodontics and restorative dentistry for improved esthetic results. In this report, the treatment of a girl with a Class II malocclusion of molars and canines with missing maxillary lateral incisors and convex facial profile is shown. Treatment was successfully achieved and included the space closure of the areas corresponding to the missing upper lateral incisors, through movement of the canines and the posterior teeth to mesial by fixed appliances as well as the canines transformation in the maxillary lateral incisors. This is a 14-year follow-up case report involving orthodontics and restorative dentistry in which pretreatment, post-treatment, and long-term follow-up records for the patient are presented.     

Smile aesthetics

The aim of this article is to outline some of the factors practitioners should take into consideration when planning optimal smile aesthetics. The components of the smile that will be discussed include the smile arc, incisor/gingival display, smile width, gingival aesthetics, tooth proportionality/symmetry, contacts/connectors/embrasures and the dental midlines. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A systematic evaluation of the components of the smile when planning treatment will help to improve smile aesthetics and produce greater patient and dentist satisfaction.     

Treatment of a transmigrated and an impacted mandibular canine along with missing maxillary central incisor: A case report

IntroductionTreatment of a case with impacted canines is complex and numerous options are available ranging from disimpaction to forced eruption.ObjectiveThe objective of this case report was to describe the treatment of a 19-year-old male, with a skeletal Class II, dental Class II Division 1 malocclusion, prognathic maxilla, proclined maxillary incisors, with missing left maxillary central incisor and bilateral mandibular canine impaction.MethodologyThe orthodontic treatment plan included forced eruption of the impacted canines and conversion of maxillary left lateral incisor to central incisor.ConclusionProper diagnosis and implementation of orthodontic biomechanics can minimize the amount of prosthetic and surgical intervention needed in the management of transmigrated canine and smile designing.     

Managing congenitally missing lateral incisors. Part I: Canine substitution

Dentists often encounter patients with missing or malformed teeth. The maxillary lateral incisor is the second most common congenitally absent tooth. There are three treatment options that exist for replacing missing lateral incisors. They include canine substitution, a tooth-supported restoration, or a single-tooth implant. Selecting the appropriate option depends on the mal-occlusion, specific space requirements, tooth-size relationship, and size and shape of the canine. The ideal treatment is the most conservative option that satisfies individual esthetic and functional requirements. Often the ideal option is canine substitution. Although the orthodontist positions the canine in the most esthetic and functional location, the restorative dentist often needs to place a porcelain veneer or crown to re-create normal lateral incisor shape and color.
This article closely examines patient selection and illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary treatment planning to achieve optimal esthetics. It is the first in a three-part series discussing the three treatment alternatives for replacing missing lateral incisors.     

Outcome of orthodontic space closure with a missing maxillary central incisor

Orthodontic space closure is one of the treatment alternatives when a maxillary central incisor is missing. Because no systematic analysis of such treatment results is available, a sample of 20 consecutively treated patients was examined in a follow-up study. All patients had received orthodontic treatment with the objective of closing the space for the missing central incisor. Biologic features and the clinical appearance of the recontoured lateral incisor (test tooth) replacing the missing tooth were compared with the neighboring intact central incisor, which served as control tooth. The patients' opinions regarding the treatment and the result were recorded in a questionnaire. The position of the examined teeth and the appearance of the surrounding soft tissues were similar in the test and control teeth. However, in some patients (25%), certain aspects of the recontoured incisor crown (such as the width at the gingival margin) mismatched the appearance of the controls. A somewhat increased mobility and probing pocket depth on the mesial aspect was recorded for some test teeth. No obvious detrimental effects were observed on the radiographs. Most patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment result. It is concluded that orthodontic mesialization of the lateral incisor to replace a missing central incisor is a valid treatment modality, if the indications for such treatment are present and careful attention to detail in orthodontic and restorative treatment is exercised.     

应用3D数字化面部重建评估上颌尖牙垂直位置对微笑美学的影响

目的： 探讨上颌尖牙垂直位置改变对正面观和侧面观微笑美学的影响,寻找能被口腔医师和非专业人士接受的尖牙位置。方法： 选取一名志愿者,通过口内扫描和面部三维扫描,获取牙列和面部软组织图像并进行配准。在计算机辅助设计软件中,将上颌尖牙的垂直位置以0.5 mm为变量,自原始位置向牙合方1 mm和龈方1 mm进行数字化改变,重建三维虚拟数字化微笑面容。选取60名口腔医师和60名非专业人士,采用视觉模拟评分法,分别从正面和右侧45°对5个数字化微笑面容进行评分。将数值输入SPSS 20.0软件包,采用重复测量资料的方差分析比较2组间对数字化微笑面容的评分差异,采用秩和检验分析不同评价角度的评分差异。结果： 尖牙垂直位置改变对笑容评价有显著影响（P<0.05）,口腔医师和非专业人士对上颌尖牙垂直位置改变后微笑面容的美学评价存在显著差异（P<0.05）;评价角度不同,对微笑美学评价的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论： 尖牙牙尖相对侧切牙切缘于龈方0.5 mm时的笑容最美观,尖牙牙尖超过侧切牙切缘的笑容则不美观。临床上可参照所得数值,进行前牙美学设计。     

Horizontal root fractures: a case report

Abstract –  This case report describes the treatment of an upper right central incisor with an intra-alveolar horizontal root fracture at the level of the middle third and an upper left central incisor with the horizontal root fracture in the cervical third. The root fractures were reduced and rigidly splinted for 4 months. The endodontic therapy was instituted in the upper left central incisor because there was no possibility of fracture repair due to the proximity of the fracture and the gingival sulcus. As soon as the diagnosis of pulp necrosis was established in the upper left lateral incisor, the endodontic treatment was performed. After 3 years and 9 months check-up appointments showed healing in the middle root third of the upper right central incisor and it responded within normal limits to pulp testing. Thus, there is no need for endodontic therapy on this tooth.     

Incisal and soft tissue effects of maxillary premolar extraction in class II treatment

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was designed to show likely upper incisal and soft tissue lip changes accompanying Class II fixed appliance treatment with only two upper premolar extractions and to assess whether the lips, especially, are predictably and directly affected with such treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalograms and study casts from 61 growing Class II patients (aged 11 to 18 years; 39 division 1 and 22 division 2) were assessed. Upper and lower lip curve depths, nasolabial angle, and upper incisal position and angulation were all assessed and compared with changes in other cephalometric variables. RESULTS: A wide range of individual response in both lip and upper incisor behavior were noted. The observed soft tissue lip changes were most likely to be related to the preexisting morphology of the lips themselves, while upper incisal changes were mainly related to their own pretreatment positions and changes occurring with treatment in the underlying bony structures. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic treatment involving the extractions of only two upper premolars is likely to result in a wide range of variation in lip and upper incisor behavior. The preexisting soft tissue morphology is likely to be the greatest determinant of lip behavior.     

Bitemarks in chocolate: a case report

Police investigating a theft from a chocolate factory recovered three pieces of chocolate with irregular fractured surfaces displaying a pattern of marks made by human teeth. A highly accuracy dental impression material was used to prepare casts of these marks which were examined and photomicrographed, confirming that they had in fact been produced by human teeth. Casts and photomicrographs of the suspect's teeth were made in order to record the fine details of the casts of the dentition. Unique characteristics evident on these casts included a small notch on the incisal edge of the upper right lateral incisor, wear facets on the incisal edges of the upper central incisors and on the lower right lateral incisor and a space of approximately 1.5 mm between the upper left central incisor and lateral incisor which was rotated about 20 degrees distally. Both direct and photomicrographic comparisons between the casts of the chocolates and of the suspect's dentition revealed correspondence between their unique characteristics.