Average Type Smile in Posed Smile of Individuals Visiting Department of Orthodontics of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: New concepts and methods have been developed in orthodontics with patients' increased concern on esthetics. Among the various parameters of smile, smile type, smile arc, and smile symmetry are essential for a beautiful smile. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of average type in posed smiles of individuals visiting the department of orthodontics.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st April 2021 to 30th June 2021 at a tertiary care hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 1, CH No. 30, 2077/2078). A convenience sampling technique was used to collect a total of 413 samples of posed smile photographs. Data was collected and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage.

Results: Among 413 individuals, the average type of smile was found in 193 (46.73%) (42.12-51.74 at 95% Confidence Interval). Out of 87 average smile type males, most of them 51 (58.62%) had non consonant smile arcs and 47 (54.02%) had asymmetric type smiles. On the contrary, the majority of females 76 (71.70%) had a consonant arc smile while 63 (59.43%) had an asymmetric smile.

Conclusions: The prevalence of the average type of smile was higher in our study as in other published literatures.

Keywords: dental esthetics; dental photography; orthodontics; smiling.