Effect of Gender and Facial Profiles on Gingival Display at Smile

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of gender and facial profile on gingival display at smile among patients presenting for dental treatment, and to determine the frequency and association of these variables in the study population.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done from august 2023 to July 2024, at Institute of Dentistry LUMHS, Jamshoro. Patients with the age from 18 -53 years, with intact maxillary anterior teeth, healthy periodontal and gingival tissues, well-developed teeth and e coming for the treatment of posterior replacements were enrolled. A photogrammetric approach was used to assess gingival display, with standardized photographs taken using an iPhone camera at a minimum distance of 4 feet. Frontal photographs captured gingival display at maximum smile in an upright seated position, measured in millimeters using a digital scale and categorized as aesthetically acceptable (1–3 mm) or unattractive. Lateral photographs were used to classify facial profile as straight, convex, or concave.

Results: This study enrolled the 123 with female predominance (56.1%). The straight facial profile was most common (48.8%), followed by convex (41.5%). Unhealthy gingival status was present in 65.9% of patients, while periodontal health was maintained in 87.8%. The gingival display within the aesthetically acceptable range was observed in 97.6% of cases. Additionally gender showed significant relationships with facial profile (p=0.001), aesthetic satisfaction (p=0.002), and gingival display (p=0.047), with females representative universally acceptable gingival display and greater aesthetic satisfaction contrasted to males.

Conclusion: Study revealed that the gingival display within the aesthetically acceptable range was highly frequent across the study population and gender significantly influenced both facial profile distribution and gingival display, with females presenting a predominance of convex profile and universally acceptable gingival display, along with higher aesthetic satisfaction.

Key words: Gingival display, facial Profile, Smile, Male, Female