Photographical evaluation of smile esthetics after extraction orthodontic treatment

Aims: To evaluate and compare the smile esthetics in orthodontically treated subjects and subjects with an esthetically pleasing smile. Materials and Methods: Frontal smiling photographs of 80 subjects in the age group of 18-25 years (mean age of 21.97 years) were taken and divided into Group I (having an esthetically pleasing profile and normal occlusion) and Group II (orthodontically treated). Each Group had 40 subjects, who were further divided into male and female subgroups. Eight transverse and three vertical linear measurements were taken on the frontal photographs and eight ratios were derived. Esthetic scores and other variables were also obtained. The data so obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: All seven ratios did not show any statistically significant differences in both the groups except for ratio 5 ( Conclusion: (1) Females had a more interpremolar/smile width ratio. (2) A greater positive upper lip curvature was found in Group I males and females and was rated higher for esthetic score. (3) The visible maxillary first molar was more in Group II males and females and rated lower for esthetic score. (4) Esthetic scores rated by lay persons were higher for all the subjects.