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Perception to Altered Smile Features of Saudi Dental Students at Different Academic Levels

Nabeel F. Talic, Azam A. AlDuwaile, Hamad A. AlHazmi, Rashad R. Tashkandi, Abdullah S Mokeem, Adeem S AlOfi

Purpose/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of dental students towards altered smile esthetic parameters and the effect of abnormal deviations of these parameters. Materials and Methods: A sample of 300 dental students was divided by gender into 150 males and 150 females. The sample was further subdivided based on the academic level from 1st year to 5th year. Twentyfour photographs with altered smile features were used. Altered features included gingival show upon smiling (GS), central incisor crown length (CL), midline shift (MS), and midline diastema (D). The photos were randomly presented to the participants. A form containing the visual analogue scale (VAS) was distributed to the students and used to rate the smile esthetics. Results: Perceptions of dental students in different academic levels to GS alterations showed that Level 5 denoted a more unattractive rating than level 2 students (p-value<0.05). There was no significant difference between levels when the CL discrepancy was 1.5-2 mm. In the remaining discrepancies level 4 students was the most critical group. There was a significant difference between levels when the MS was 5 mm (p-value< 0.05). There was no significant difference among the levels when the D discrepancy was >0 mm. Conclusions: Students at level four and five have been exposed to undergraduate orthodontic courses in their academic curriculum, which shifts their perception towards being more critical in their evaluation of altered smile features and approximating the general dentists and orthodontists groups.