Smile esthetics in different vertical skeletal patterns in an Egyptian sample (a cross sectional observational study)

Abstract

Objective: To assess smile esthetics in different skeletal patterns in an Egyptian sample. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 participants in the age group 15-30 years were selected and divided into three groups: horizontal, average, and vertical skeletal patterns, using the following three cephalometric parameters: SN-MP, FMA, and Jarabak ratio. Two photographic records one taken during smile and the other at rest were obtained, and measurements were analyzed at rest, including upper lip length, and on smiling including maxillary incisal display, interlabial gap, inter commissure width, maxillary intercanine width, and buccal corridors. Upper lip elevation (ΔULL) was calculated. Results: buccal corridor measurements were wider in the vertical skeletal pattern compared with both the average and the horizontal skeletal pattern. Upper lip length, upper lip elevation on smiling, the intercanine width and outer inter commissure width and interlabial gap showed no statistically significant difference between the studied groups. Conclusion: Different skeletal patterns show different smile characteristics. Vertical skeletal patterns exhibit wider buccal corridors. Upper lip length was not responsible for the increased incisal show during smiling.