Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research
Correlation of social smile symmetry with facial symmetry
Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2023
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Background
This study aimed to assess the correlation of social smile symmetry with facial symmetry.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, frontal view photographs were obtained from 169 eligible patients at rest and smiling with a camera at the level of their nose tip. Several landmarks were selected for facial symmetry and measured at rest and social smiling at the two sides of the face. The respective formula was used to calculate the asymmetry index (AI). The mean values for each AI were calculated, and the correlation between the criteria for a symmetric smile in a social smile with the criteria for facial symmetry, and the correlation between the difference in symmetry criteria at rest and social smiling with facial symmetry criteria were analyzed.
Results
Significant correlations were noted between Oc-b AI (smile) and Sn-B (rest) facial AI (P = 0.046), An-a (smile) AI and Gn-a (rest) facial AI (P = 0.002), An-b (smile) AI and Sn-b (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Pog-a (smile) and Sn-a (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Nt-a (smile) and Sn-a (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Nt-b (smile) and Sn-b (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Ph-a (smile) and Sn-a (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Ph-b (smile) and Sn-b (smile) facial AI (P = 0.007), Oc-b AI (difference) and Gn-b (rest) facial AI (P = 0.031), Oc-Pog (difference) AI and Gn-b (rest) facial AI (P = 0.041), An-b (difference) AI and Sn-b (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), Nt-a (difference) and Sn-a (rest) facial AI (P = 0.006), Nt-b (difference) and Sn-b (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001), and Ph-b (difference) and Sn-b (rest) facial AI (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
A significant correlation exists between social smile symmetry and facial symmetry.