Analyzing how personality factors influence the perception of smile aesthetics across diverse dental educational...

This study examined the relationship between smile aesthetics perception and personality factors among individuals with varying dental education backgrounds.

This cross-sectional study included 412 participants categorized into four groups: pre-clinical dental students, clinical dental students, practicing dentists, and laypeople. Participants rated 20 photographs depicting variations in maxillary midline diastema, central incisor crown length, smile arc, gingival display, and incisal plane cant on a ten-point attractiveness scale. Personality factors were assessed using the NEO-FFI questionnaire, measuring Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness.

Dental professionals assigned significantly lower aesthetic scores to smiles with a 2.0 mm central incisor crown reduction, a 4.0 mm gingival display increase, and an incisal plane cant compared to non-dental raters (P < .05). Higher Agreeableness and Conscientiousness scores were associated with a preference for smiles without midline diastema (r = .118, 0.112; P = .017, 0.023). Higher Extraversion and Openness scores were associated with a preference for no gingival display (r = .147, 0.123; P = .003, 0.012).

Perceptions of smile aesthetics varied significantly between dental and non-dental raters. Severity of smile discrepancy has a predictive role in aesthetic preferences, influencing the perceived attractiveness of specific smile characteristics. Personality factors had some associations with the perceived attractiveness of specific smile characteristics. Understanding how severity of smile discrepancy, personality traits and dental training influence esthetic preferences can help clinicians better tailor smile design and treatment communication to individual patient expectations.