Lay preferences for dentogingival esthetic parameters: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Esthetic Dentistry
• Dental Public Health

Background:

• A clear, objective definition of esthetically acceptable smiles, according to laypeople, is currently lacking.
• Understanding layperson preferences is crucial for successful esthetic dental treatments.
• This study addresses the need for evidence-based guidelines on smile esthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on laypeople's opinions regarding dentogingival characteristics of an esthetically acceptable smile.
• To identify and appraise existing studies on smile esthetics as perceived by the general population.
• To establish thresholds for ideal and acceptable smile parameters based on layperson evaluation.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases and eight dental journals (1996-2015).
• Studies were selected and reviewed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Data on lay evaluators, smile images, and esthetic parameters were extracted and analyzed using weighted arithmetic means for continuous variables.

Main Results:

• Twenty studies involving 3107 participants were included after screening 8851 articles.
• Central incisors were identified as playing a pivotal role in smile esthetics.
• Key esthetic parameters related to the proportion, shape, and position of central incisors and their relationship with adjacent teeth were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• This review establishes estimated thresholds for smile parameters considered ideal or acceptable by laypeople.
• Findings provide clinicians with evidence-based data for diagnosing and planning dental esthetic treatments.
• The study emphasizes the importance of central incisor characteristics in overall smile esthetics.