Patients’ general satisfaction with the appearance of anterior maxillary teeth

Vlatka Lajnert; Daniela Kovačević Pavičić; Hrvoje Pezo; Aleksandra Stevanović; Tatjana Jović; Damir Šnjarić; Edin Muhić

doi:10.2298/VSP151110248L

Vlatka Lajnert University of Rijeka, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontic, Rijeka, Croatia
Daniela Kovačević Pavičić University of Rijeka, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontic, Rijeka, Croatia
Hrvoje Pezo Private Dental Practice, Zagreb, Croatia
Aleksandra Stevanović University of Rijeka, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Rijeka, Croatia
Tatjana Jović University of Rijeka, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontic, Rijeka, Croatia
Damir Šnjarić Private Dental Practice, Rijeka, Croatia
Edin Muhić Private Dental Practice, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP151110248L

Keywords: esthetics, dental, patient satisfaction, surveys and questionnaires, age factors, dental plaque, dental restoration, permanent,

Abstract

Background/Aim. Dental appearance plays an important role in practically all personal social interactions. The main factors that define the dental appearance are tooth colour, shape and position, quality of restoration, and the general position of the teeth in arch, especially in the anterior region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental status (tooth shape, fracture, dental and prosthetic restorations and presence of plaque) on patient's satisfaction with the dental appearance, controlling for the age and gender. Methods. A total of 700 Caucasian subjects (439 women) aged 18–86 (median 45 years) participated in the cross-sectional study. Study included clinical examination and self-administrated questionnaire based on self-perceived aesthetics and satisfaction with the appearance of their maxillary anterior teeth. Results. A regression analysis demonstrated that presence of dental plaque, tooth fracture, composite fillings and crowns had significant independent contribution and were negative predictors of satisfaction with teeth appearance. Participants with presence of plaque on upper teeth (p < 0.001), fractures (p = 0.005), composite fillings (p < 0.001) and crowns (p = 0.032) were less satisfied than those without it. Model explains 12% or variance of general satisfaction with the appearance of maxillary frontal teeth (p < 0.001) and the major contributors are composite fillings (5.3%) and plaque (3.2%). Tooth shape, age and gender were not significant predictors of satisfaction. Conclusion. Satisfaction with the teeth appearance is under the influence of many factors with significant negative influence of presence of dental plaque, fractures, composite restorations, and crowns.

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