Evaluation of smile characteristics in individuals with different age groups

Aim: To evaluate and compare the smile characteristics in individuals with different age groups by digital videography. Materials and Methods: Digital videographic records of 229 randomly selected subjects were obtained in 4 groups by age (15-20years, 21-30years, 31-40 years and 41-50 years). Characteristics of smile namely Upper lip length, Upper lip thickness, Outer intercommissural width, Commissural height, Interlabial gap, Smile arc, Smile index and Buccal corridors were evaluated. Statistical Analysis: Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance with Duncan’s multiple range post hoc test were used to compare the mean of different groups. Results: The upper lip length, upper lip thickness, outer commissural width and commissural height showed significant difference with increasing age at rest and during smile. The interlabial gap found to be significantly decreased during smile. Highly significant difference was found between males and females in upper lip length, upper lip thickness, outer commissural width and commissural height within the groups. Conclusion: As the age advances, the smile gets changed and differs between males and females. The smile index increased significantly indicating that the smile gets narrower vertically and wider transversely with increasing age. Females (88%) found to have more consonant smiles than males (75%)