Perception of the Aesthetic Component of Orthodontically Aligned Impacted Maxillary Canines

This study aims to evaluate and compare the perceptions of laypeople, general dentists, orthodontic residents, and experienced orthodontists regarding the aesthetic and gingival changes resulting from the orthodontic traction of impacted maxillary canines. A total of 40 Evaluators participated in this study. Evaluators were divided into 4 groups of 10 Laypersons, 10 General Dentists, 10 Orthodontic Residents, and 10 Orthodontists with a minimum of 5 years of experience. Evaluators were made to assess all 12 post treatment photographs and were given 1 minute to analyze gingival and aesthetic characteristics of maxillary canine in each photograph. Evaluators were instructed to mark the score on a 7-point Likert Scale. Statistical analysis was performed. The intergroup and intragroup comparison shows that the layperson has given an overall median score of 3.9 and the other three group of evaluators gave an overall median score of 4.4 for the five questions that was conducted in this study. The scoring difference among each group of evaluators were statistically not significant. The difference between the scores were not significant, this study has revealed that the orthodontists with experience were able to appreciate the micro and mini aesthetics of the canine more accurately than other groups followed by orthodontic residents, general dentist and lay person.