A Comparison between Laypersons and Professionals in Evaluating the Effect of Buccal Corridor and Smile Arc on Smile Attractiveness

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of buccal corridor space and smile arc on smile attractiveness of posed smile in a young adult Nigerian population.
Methods: Two images of female smiles were intentionally altered with a software program (Adobe Photoshop, CS5. 1990-2010, Adobe System Incorporated). The alteration involved incremental changes in the buccal corridor space and changes in the relationship of the upper border of the lower lip to the incisal edges of the anterior maxillary teeth -smile arc. These altered images were rated by two groups, 30 in each group, professionals and lay persons, using a visual analogue scale.
Results: About thirty three percent of the professionals and 31% of the lay persons favored broad smile with minimum buccal corridor space. The professionals were able to identify a consonant smile better than the lay persons.
Conclusions: Bucccal corridor space and the smile arc do affect smile aesthetics. Minimal buccal corridor and a consonant smile arc is associated with smile attractiveness.

Key words: Attractive smile, buccal corridor, smile arc