In the ever-evolving world of digital dentistry, staying ahead means staying informed.
If improving your know-how in smile design and facial analysis is still on your to-do list for 2024, this post summarizes five must-read journal articles - authored or co-authored by the DSD team - to get you started.
Perception of smile attractiveness among laypeople and orthodontists regarding the buccal corridor space, as it is defined by the eyes. An innovated technique.
This research article investigates the relationship between the distance between the iris and pupil of the eye and the attractiveness of a smile. The researchers digitally altered images of a smiling male subject to modify the buccal corridor width, the space between the cheek and the teeth, and presented these images to a group of laypeople and orthodontists. Their findings suggest that a buccal corridor width equal to or less than the iris-pupillary distance is perceived as more attractive. This research offers a new landmark for smile design that can be used to individualize buccal corridor size based on facial features.
Ntovas P, Karkazi F, Özbilen EÖ, et al. Perception of smile attractiveness among laypeople and orthodontists regarding the buccal corridor space, as it is defined by the eyes. An innovated technique. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2023;1‐7. doi:10.1111/jerd.13005
Layperson's preference of the transverse occlusal plane in asymmetric facial model
This study investigated how laypersons perceive the transverse occlusal plane in patients with facial asymmetries, specifically in the nose and chin. The researchers created a symmetrical and an asymmetrical facial model, digitally manipulating the nose and chin position, and then altered the occlusal plane angle in different directions. Using a visual Likert scale, they presented the models to 120 laypersons and asked them to rate the attractiveness of each image. The results suggest that an occlusal plane cant of 2 degrees or greater is noticeable by laypersons, regardless of the direction of the cant. The study also found that the direction of the nose and chin deviations did not affect the perception of the occlusal plane, indicating that the orientation of the occlusal plane should be as parallel as possible to the interpupillary line for optimal esthetics.
Silva BP, Tortora SC, Stanley K, Mahn G, Coachman C, Mahn E. Layperson's preference of the transverse occlusal plane in asymmetric facial model. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2019;1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.1...
Comparing the use of static versus dynamic images to evaluate a smile
This research study examines the differences between posed and spontaneous smiles in men and women. The researchers used digital photographs and videos to analyze smile characteristics, including gingival display, dental display, and lip mobility. The study found that women tend to display more teeth and gingiva than men, and that spontaneous smiles generally show more gingival display than posed smiles. These findings highlight the importance of considering both posed and spontaneous smiles in dental treatment planning.
Mahn E, Sampaio CS, Pereira da Silva B, Stanley K, Valdés AM, Gutierrez J, Coachman C. Comparing the use of static versus dynamic images to evaluate a smile. J Prosthet Dent. 2020 May;123(5):739-746. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2019.02.023. Epub 2019 Aug 2. PMID: 31383523.
Layperson’s perception of axial midline angulation in asymmetric faces
This study examined how people perceive dental midline angulation in asymmetric faces. The researchers created digital images of faces with varying degrees of dental midline angulation, and then tested how people rated these images for attractiveness. The results showed that, even when a slight misalignment of the teeth is present, it is more appealing if the teeth are tilted in the same direction as the nose and chin, rather than in the opposite direction.
Silva BP, Jimenez-Castellanos E, Stanley K, Mahn E, Coachman C, Finkel S. Layperson’s perception of axial midline angulation in asymmetric faces. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2017;00:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.1...
The facial flow concept: An organic orofacial analysis-the vertical component
This clinical report proposes a new concept called facial flow (FF) for analyzing and designing smiles. Traditional approaches rely on symmetry and straight lines to establish a facial midline, but the FF concept argues that faces are naturally asymmetrical. FF emphasizes the directional movement of facial structures, particularly the nose and chin, and uses this flow to determine the ideal placement of the dental midline.
Silva BP, Mahn E, Stanley K, Coachman C. The facial flow concept: An organic orofacial analysis-the vertical component. J Prosthet Dent. 2019 Feb;121(2):189-194. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2018.03.023. Epub 2018 Aug 21. PMID: 30139676.
Want to see more clinical articles by DSD?
Luken de Arbeloa offers his insights on clinical papers authored and co-authored by DSD:
Clinical article: The DSD ClicGuide System: a clinical report of three cases
Clinical article: The Facial Flow Concept: An organic orofacial analysis - the vertical component
Clinical article: Comparing the use of static versus dynamic images to evaluate a smile
