Assessment of smile parameters in skeletally class I orthodontic patients

Abstract

Introduction: The smile is an important form of facial expression which heralds the attractiveness of an individual. In orthodontics smile design is an important treatment goal. The skeletal pattern of a patient can affect the characteristics of their smile. This study will help establish averages for various components of smile parameters in our population and to find out their correlation with the skeletal pattern. This knowledge will help in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Material and methods: Data of 289 skeletally class I patients was collected out of a total of 1500 cases registered at the department of orthodontics. The patient records were checked for demographic variables (age and gender) and vertical skeletal class (high, normal or low angle). Pretreatment smiling photographs were used to analyze the smile parameters namely smile line, smile arc, buccal corridors and number of teeth displayed.

Results: The relationship between high smile line and vertically high angle patients was found to be statistically significant. Smile arc, buccal corridors and number of teeth visible on smile did not have a statistically significant relationship with the vertical skeletal class but they are clinically significant.

Conclusions: Vertically high angle patients are more likely to have a high smile line. This knowledge must be kept in mind during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning of patients. Data collected in this study can be used in further studies.