Effect of Nasal Deviation on the Perception of Upper Dental Midline by General Dentists and Orthodontists

Abstract: Background: Establishing the relationship between dental and facial midlines aids in achieving the desired dentofacial aesthetics post-orthodontic treatment. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of nasal deviation on the perception of maxillary dental midline by the orthodontic practitioners and general dentists. Secondary objectives were to see if there was any significant difference between the perception of female and male participants, and orthodontic practitioners and general dentists. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Margalla Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS) Rawalpindi after obtaining ethical approval. Morphed frontal smiling photographs of a female subject were used to assess the perception of the participants. The nasal midline was progressively altered at every 1 mm from 0 mm to 4 mm towards left while keeping the upper dental midline on. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0. P-values of < 0.05 were taken as significant. Result: Out of 200 study subjects, 106( 53%) were general dentists and 94 (47%) were orthodontic practitioners. There was a significant increase in the misperception of upper dental midline with an increase in the nasal deviation. There was no statistically significant difference found between the findings of general dentists and orthodontists, with the exception of one image (Image 2), for which the p value was 0.017. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between male and female participants’ results. Conclusion: The nasal deviation affects dental midline perception, with only minor differences between general dentists and orthodontists underscoring the necessity for comprehensive facial evaluations in dental practice to ensure accurate aesthetic and functional assessments.