# Smile aesthetics in Pakistani population: dentist preferences and perceptions of anterior teeth proportion and harmony

## TL;DR

This study explores what makes a smile attractive to dentists in Pakistan, focusing on tooth proportions and harmony.

## Contribution

The study identifies dentist preferences for anterior tooth proportions in the Pakistani population, comparing various dental proportion theories.

## Key findings

- The RED proportion was preferred for normal-sized teeth by both specialists and general dentists.
- The golden proportion was predominantly preferred for tall teeth.
- Tooth arrangement, color, and midline were highlighted as essential for aesthetic smile construction.

## Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate dentist perceptions of attractive smiles in the Pakistani population, considering different dental proportions.

Maxillary casts and digital images were used to create symmetrical representations of anterior teeth. dentists’ preferences for good and bad teeth proportions, width/height ratios, and various dental proportions (golden, recurring esthetic dental (RED), golden percentage, Preston, and local/observed) were assessed using one sample and paired t-test. The Chi-square test was used to determine the gender disparities and factors affecting smile attractiveness. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.

The RED proportion emerged as the preferred choice for normal-sized teeth, with specialists and general dentists favoring it over the golden proportion. For tall teeth, the golden proportion was predominantly preferred. The golden percentage received limited preference for aesthetic smile construction.

The smiles created using the principles of RED proportion were opted as the most attractive by local dentists. Factors such as tooth arrangement, color, and midline were highlighted as essential considerations in aesthetic smile construction.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-024-04100-4.