Evaluation of Subjective Smile Aesthetic Perceptions and Aesthetic Treatment Preferences of Adults Residents of Izmir

Vollständiger Abstract

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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the dental aesthetic satisfaction levels and treatment expectations of adults residents of İzmir, Turkey, and to evaluate the relationship between their subjective aesthetic perceptions and sociodemographic variables. Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study included 400 volunteer participants (200 females, 200 males) residents of İzmir, selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected through a 13-item original Clinical Data Collection Form encompassing demographic information, perception of smile aesthetics, and treatment expectations. A face-to-face interview technique was utilized to ensure data objectivity. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson Chi-Square test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Among the participants, 36.0% were dissatisfied with their general smile aesthetics, and 45.3% expressed dissatisfaction with their current tooth color. A highly significant correlation was found between tooth color dissatisfaction and treatment demand; 79.6% (n=144) of those dissatisfied with their tooth color requested professional whitening (p < 0.001). General aesthetic satisfaction was found to decrease significantly with age (p = 0.040). Female participants reported a significantly higher perceived need for orthodontic treatment (41.5%) and aesthetic restorations (39.0%) compared to males (p < 0.05). Furthermore, satisfaction with tooth color decreased with age, and the perceived need for porcelain crowns peaked at 44.7% in participants aged 45 and over (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Dental aesthetic satisfaction and treatment seeking are primarily determined by tooth color and alignment, which are directly influenced by age and gender. Clinicians should integrate patients' sociodemographic-dependent subjective perceptions into restorative treatment planning.