Effect of smile esthetics on the quality of life in a Han Chinese population

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the influence of smile esthetics on the quality of life in a Han Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 110 Han Chinese volunteers (52 males and 58 females, mean age 26.7 years) were recruited, and frontal images of their smiles were collected. A photoediting program was used to evaluate the following components of smile esthetics: the buccal corridor ratios, the angle between the interpupillary and commissural lines, the number of visible teeth, and width-to-length ratios of the maxillary central incisors. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in these volunteers was evaluated using the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Statistical analyses were performed by using Pearson's correlations and multiple linear regression (α = 0.05).

Results: Compared to males, females scored higher on psychological impact (p = 0.017). Moreover, the number of visible teeth had a significant effect on social impact, psychological impact and esthetic concern (all p < 0.05). However, the buccal corridor ratios, the angle between the interpupillary and commissural lines, and the width-to-length ratios of the maxillary central incisor did not correlate with the OHRQoL (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The number of visible teeth significantly influenced the quality of life in a Han Chinese population. Smile esthetics had a significantly greater psychological impact on females than males.

Clinical significance: This study highlights the effects of smile esthetics on the quality of life in a Han Chinese population. Female patients may raise more esthetic concerns in clinical practice.

Keywords: OHRQoL; buccal corridor ratios; quality of life; smile esthetics; visible teeth.