A Study on the Change of Perception to Smile Esthetics in Orthodontic Patients

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of perception in esthetics during orthodontic treatment. Methods: A photograph of a woman’s standardized smile was digitally altered with a imaging software program. The altered variables were vertical and labiolingual movement of the maxillary central and lateral incisor, vertical movement of the maxillary canine, dental midline deviation of the maxilla. Orthodontic patients were divided into three groups based on the timing during treatment; before treatment (group 1), during treatment (group 2) and after treatment (group 3). A questionnaire was made to evaluate the original and altered photographs using a visual analogue scale. Results: Group 1 and 3 showed significant difference at 3.0 mm midline deviation and 2.0 mm vertical movement of the lateral incisor. In intragroup comparison, group 1 distinguished the difference at 1.0 mm vertical change and 3.0 mm buccal movement of the central incisor, 2.0 mm lingual movement of the lateral incisor, 3.0 mm midline deviation, 1.5 mm vertical change of the canine. Group 2 perceived 0.5 mm vertical change of the central incisor, 2.0 mm vertical and 2.0 mm lingual movement of the lateral incisor, 2.0 mm midline deviation, 2.0 mm vertical movement of the canine. Group 3 perceived 1.0 mm vertical and 1.0 mm buccal movement of the central incisor, 2.0 mm vertical and 1.0 mm lingual movement of the lateral incisor, 1.0 mm midline deviation, and 1.5 mm vertical change of the canine. Conclusions: Patients after orthodontic treatment were more sensitive than patients before orthodontic treatment about midline deviation and lateral incisor’s vertical position.