Comparison of smile esthetics after extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment

Introduction: Smile esthetics is prime objective of modern orthodontic treatment. Effect of tooth extraction on esthetics is controversial. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the smile esthetics after extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Frontal smiling photographs of 80 orthodontically treated subjects with age range of 18-25 years (mean age 20.16 years) were taken and divided into two groups each having 40 subjects. Group-I were treated with extraction of all first premolars and Group-II were treated without extraction of teeth. Both groups were further divided into two subgroups: Subgroup-A for male and Subgroup-B for female having 20 patients in each subgroup. Smile esthetics and esthetic scores were assessed on frontal photographs by using eight transverse and three vertical linear measurements, seven derived ratios and four other variables. The data so obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Statistically non-significant difference for all seven ratios were found between Group I and Group II. On intergroup comparison of other variables, only visible maxillary first molar variable showed statistically significant differences (‘p'<0> No significant correlation of esthetic score with all seven ratios was found in the males and females of Group I and Group II. Conclusion: No difference was found between smile esthetics of extraction and non-extraction subjects. Thus, decision regarding extraction of teeth in orthodontic patients should not be solely based on smile esthetics but other factors which determine extraction should be considered.