Tooth shape preferences in an esthetic smile

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contributions of tooth shape to the esthetic smile. Methods: Restorative dentists (120), laypeople (102), and orthodontists (113) evaluated a series of color photographs of men's and women's smiles. The photographs were randomly presented to test the effects of 3 different shapes of maxillary incisors and canines on the same patient. Results: For women, orthodontists preferred round and square-round incisors (P < .01), and restorative dentists preferred round incisors (P < .03). Laypeople did not discriminate between incisor shapes. For men, all 3 groups preferred square-round incisors (P <= .042). There was also a tendency for male judges to rate female images more attractive than did female judges. Conclusions: Restorative dentists, orthodontists, and laypeople share similarities and display differences when considering esthetic preferences in tooth shape. Although there was no consensus in preference among the laypeople as a group, their preferences differed from those of the dental professionals.