The impact of dental midline angulation towards the facial flow curve on the esthetics of an asymmetric face: Perspective of laypeople and orthodontists

PurposeThe objective of the present article was to evaluate the impact of dental midline angulation in asymmetrical faces.Materials and MethodsA full-portrait image was used to create a set of digitally modified images with a different degree of facial asymmetry, towards the right and the left side of the face respectively. Half of the images were designed with an equivalent angulation of the dental midline in respect to the curve of the lower third of the face and half of them without. Through a web survey, 250 laypeople and 250 orthodontists were asked to assess the attractiveness of each image separately.ResultsAs the asymmetry of the face was increased, facial attractiveness was further decreased both for laypersons and orthodontists. For each one of the modified images, when the dental midline was following the curve that was formed from the inclination of the simulated asymmetry of the face, the smile attractiveness scores were significantly higher compared to a straight dental midline.ConclusionFacial asymmetries derived from the inclination of the nose, the chin and the commissural line of the lips can significantly affect the smile attractiveness. An orientation of the dental midline towards the facial asymmetry in order to follow the facial curve, can be beneficial for the smile attractiveness compared to a perpendicular to the face dental midline. During the design of a smile, clinicians have to take into consideration deviations in facial midline, in order their restorations to be in harmony with the rest of the face.Clinical SignificanceDuring the design of a smile, clinicians have to take into consideration deviations in the facial midline, in order their restorations to be in harmony with the rest of the face.