Association Between Confidence in Smiling and Esthetic Characteristics
Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz1, Denise Juaçaba Cavalcante2, Maria Mônica Studart Mendes Moreira3
1Post-Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Summary
Confidence in smiling is linked to smile type and tooth alignment, not demographics. Dentists should consider these intraoral factors alongside patient perception for better treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Dental Aesthetics
- Psychology of Oral Health
Background:
- Confidence in smiling is a crucial aspect of psychosocial well-being.
- Understanding factors influencing smile confidence is vital for effective dental treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between facial, gingival, and dental characteristics and confidence in smiling.
- To identify key intraoral factors impacting self-reported smile confidence in patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 75 subjects seeking dental treatment were evaluated.
- Clinical examinations and standardized photographs were used, alongside a confidence in smiling questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis (Chi-square/Fischer exact test) was performed to correlate characteristics with confidence levels.
Main Results:
- Non-confidence in smiling was significantly associated with specific smile types (p=0.030) and malpositioned teeth (p=0.047).
- Demographic factors such as gender, marital status, and lip volume showed no statistical association with smile confidence.
- Gingival pigmentation and midline position were also not found to be significantly related to confidence in smiling.
Conclusions:
- Smile type and tooth positioning are key intraoral predictors of confidence in smiling.
- Dentists should prioritize these characteristics in treatment planning, integrating patient perception for optimal outcomes.
- This study highlights the importance of specific dental features in influencing patients' self-assurance.
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