Assessment of smile characteristics on frontal smiling photograph compared to selfie view. A Pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Photography has become an indispensable tool in Orthodontic treatment planning and in assessment of treatment outcome. Patients have become more aware and demanding of achieving excellent smile aesthetics. Use of selfie photographs has become a common practice in young adults. The aim of this study was to compare smile characteristics on a standard frontal on smiling view with selfie view of young adults.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was carried out at Islamabad dental hospital on 45 subjects, age ranging from 18 to 30years. For each subject, a standardized frontal on smiling and selfie photograph was obtained and smile characteristics were analyzed by two trained professionals.

Results: The study showed both frontal on smiling view and selfie view had little difference when analysing smile characteristics such as smile arc, gingival display, incisor display and midline; however, there was a significant difference in reporting presence or absence of buccal corridors between the two views.

Conclusions: Selfie view may be used as an accessory photographic view to analyze smile characteristics. Buccal corridors showed a significant difference when viewed on frontal on smiling versus the selfie view.