To analyze the influence of orthodontic treatment on smile attractiveness as perceived by common people, general dentists and orthodontists.

The photographic records of 114 patients were screened and 72 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. The pretreatment and posttreatment smile photographs were rated on a 10-point scale by panels of common people, general dentists and orthodontists. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test.

The mean esthetic scores for pretreatment images as evaluated by the three panels; orthodontists, general dentists and common people were 3.26, 3.20 and 3.31 respectively. The difference in esthetic scores between these three groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). For post-treatment images, the mean esthetic scores by the three panels; orthodontists, general dentist and common people were 6.45, 6.50 and 7.32 respectively. Esthetic scores between these three groups differed significantly (p < 0.05) with common people displaying significantly higher score than orthodontists and general dentists, however no difference was seen between orthodontists and general dentists. It was also seen that the percentage change in mean esthetic scores from pre- to posttreatment smile was significantly higher for common people as compared to orthodontist (p < 0.05) and no difference was seen between orthodontists and general dentists or common people and general dentists respectively.

Though there is no difference in perception of smile esthetics between common people, general dentists and orthodontists, the influence of orthodontic treatment on smile attractiveness is appreciated differently by the common people as compared to general dentists and orthodontists.

Kumar P, Patil C, Nehra K, Sharma M. Influence of Orthodontic Treatment on Smile Attractiveness as perceived by Common People, General Dentists and Orthodontists. World J Dent 2016;7(1):18-22.