The Psychological Effect of Excessive Gingival Display on Egyptian Females

TL;DR

This study shows that excessive gum display negatively impacts the quality of life and psychological well-being of Egyptian females.

Contribution

The study is the first to evaluate the psychological effects of excessive gingival display in Egyptian females using a validated quality of life questionnaire.

Findings

Participants with excessive gingival display had significantly higher OHIP-14 scores than controls.

Excessive gingival display was associated with negative impacts on psychological domains of quality of life.

The mean gingival display on maximum smile was 3.84 ± 1.13 mm in the affected group.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of excessive gingival display on oral health–related quality of life of Egyptian females.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 individuals with excessive gingival display and 160 controls matched for gender and age, attending the outpatient clinic. The outcome was oral health–related quality of life evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire.

Participants with excessive gingival display had a higher total OHIP-14 score (6.37 ± 3.34) in comparison with the controls (3.68 ± 2.54, p = <0.001). Impacts were also significant in the domains: functional limitation, physical disability, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability. Mean gingival display on maximum smile in the excessive gingival display group was 3.84 ± 1.13 mm.

Excessive gingival display negatively affects the overall oral health–related quality of life, especially the psychological domain in this particular population. The results of this present study justify the correction of excessive gingival display to improve individuals' oral health–related quality of life.

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