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When does Orthodontics make a difference? Threshold effects in attractiveness perception and hiring intentions.
Gil Guilherme Gasparello1,2, Otso Tirkkonen2,3, Sergio Luiz Mota-Júnior4
1Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, School of Medicine and Life Sciences (Curitiba/PR, Brazil).
Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
|May 19, 2026
Summary
Orthodontic treatment significantly boosts smile attractiveness and hiring chances in adults. Improved dental alignment alone can positively influence social judgments and employability perceptions.
Area of Science:
- Dental Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Smile attractiveness is crucial for social perception.
- Orthodontic treatment's impact on employability is under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how orthodontic treatment affects perceived smile attractiveness.
- To determine the influence of orthodontic treatment on hiring decisions in Brazilian adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional observational study with 288 adult participants.
- Online survey presenting pre- and post-treatment smile photographs.
- Attractiveness rated on Visual Analog Scale (VAS); hiring intention recorded.
Main Results:
- Post-treatment smiles were rated significantly more attractive (mean VAS 54.2 vs. 36.4).
- Hiring likelihood increased significantly post-treatment (44.0% vs. 27.9%).
- Smile attractiveness independently predicted hiring intention.
Conclusions:
- Orthodontic treatment enhances smile attractiveness and employability.
- Dental alignment alone can alter social judgments.
- Findings underscore the psychosocial importance of orthodontic interventions.
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