Gingival Architecture and Smile Aspect - Perspectives by Students and Patients

Introduction: The harmonious combination of color, texture, shape and gingival architecture is of utmost importance in the aesthetic perception of smile. Objectives: Qualitative evaluation/comparison of patients and Dentistry students' perceptions regarding the gingival architecture and aesthetic appearance of the smile. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study approved by Ethics Committee of UFP. Two photographs were taken (intra/extra-oral) to 35 patients (74.3%-women) of Pedagogical Dentistry Clinic-UFP, which subsequently completed a survey (Personalized Esthetic Evaluation) on their gingival/smile appearance. Thirty-eight students of FCS-UFP registered gingival criteria (Esthetic Checklist; Fradeani, 2004) after observing those photographs. Descriptive statistical analysis/comparison with chi-square test (α=0.05). Results: Patient' self-assessment: 94.3% likes their gingival color, 74.3% regular gingival margins, 77.1% has no gingival exposition, healthy gums 74.3%, 88.6% satisfied with gingival appearance, but 48.6% would improve their gums. Checklist of gingival parameters by Students: symmetric margin (60.3%), regular zenith (53.5%), papillae present (80%), alterations (gingival inflammation/recession) (61.9%), ordinary normal tonality (48.6%) and gingival aesthetic line (51.4%). Agreement relationship between patients and students perceptions, in all evaluated criteria (p0.05). More studies should be conducted to compare qualitative/quantitative aspects of the gingival architecture. Conclusions: The comparison of patients and students' perceptions proved to be compliant in all assessed parameters of gingival/smile aspects, occurring variation on the degree of agreement (low to high) in some parameters. Clinical Implications: The analysis of the patient/professional perceptions, on gingival architecture/smile aspects, enables communication synergism on esthetic/cosmetic rehabilitators' decisions. Keywords: Gingival aesthetic, gingival contour, gingival architecture, smile aesthetic, macro-aesthetic, micro-aesthetic