Perception of altered smile esthetics among Moroccan professionals and lay people

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the impact of altered smile characteristics on the perception of smile esthetics between Moroccan dentists and lay people.Materials and methodsThirty-four digital smile photographs displaying alterations in crown length and width, lateral incisor gingival margin position, gingival exposition, midline diastema, and upper midline deviation were presented to a sample of 30 dentists and 30 lay people. The ratings were assessed with a visual analog scale.ResultsCompared to that of lay people, Moroccan dentists’ evaluation of the gingival smile was more critical when the decrease in central incisor crown length was 2.5mm (p<0.001) or greater and when the increase in gingival exposition was 4mm or greater (p<0.01). Moroccan dentists were also critical in their evaluation of maxillary lateral incisor crown width alterations (p<0.05) and incisal midline deviations (p