Research Article

Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Volume: 10 Number: 2 September 1, 2026
TR EN

Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate esthetic perceptions of cosmetic dentistry among dental students at different academic levels and dental residents, and to identify differences in the evaluation of key esthetic parameters using standardized, digitally modified smile images. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted among dental students and dental residents at Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry. A structured questionnaire consisting of 16 items was used to assess demographic characteristics, general perceptions of esthetic dentistry, and preferences for modified smile parameters. Standardized smile images were digitally manipulated to evaluate six esthetic variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 500 participants completed the survey. No significant gender-based differences were observed in general perceptions of esthetic dentistry (p > 0.05), except for lip vermilion height (p = 0.028). Academic level significantly influenced several perceptual domains (p < 0.05). With increasing academic progression, participants shifted from simplified esthetic concepts toward greater emphasis on alignment, symmetry, and proportional relationships. Dental residents demonstrated a stronger preference for narrower buccal corridors, no or minimal gingival display, and absence of diastema compared with dental students (p < 0.05). In contrast, preferences for the golden ratio and dental midline position remained consistent across groups. Conclusion: Esthetic perception in dentistry evolves progressively with academic education and clinical experience. Dental residents exhibit greater sensitivity to esthetic deviations, while gender differences are minimal. These findings highlight the importance of structured esthetic education in improving clinical decision-making and achieving biologically harmonious treatment outcomes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or nonprofit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (Protocol No: 09.2025-25-0063, Date: January 31, 2025). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry and the Institute of Health Sciences for their institutional support.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Prosthodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 1, 2026

Submission Date

April 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

APA
Yıldız, A., Demirel, D. C., Feriz, M., Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh, Z., Aslan, Y. U., & Özkan, Y. (2026). Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. European Journal of Research in Dentistry, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.29228/erd.132
AMA
1.Yıldız A, Demirel DC, Feriz M, Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh Z, Aslan YU, Özkan Y. Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Eur. J. res. Dent. (ERD). 2026;10(2). doi:10.29228/erd.132
Chicago
Yıldız, Anıl, Doğaç Can Demirel, Murat Feriz, Zeliha Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh, Yılmaz Umut Aslan, and Yasemin Özkan. 2026. “Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics Among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study”. European Journal of Research in Dentistry 10 (2). https://doi.org/10.29228/erd.132.
EndNote
Yıldız A, Demirel DC, Feriz M, Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh Z, Aslan YU, Özkan Y (September 1, 2026) Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. European Journal of Research in Dentistry 10 2
IEEE
[1]A. Yıldız, D. C. Demirel, M. Feriz, Z. Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh, Y. U. Aslan, and Y. Özkan, “Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study”, Eur. J. res. Dent. (ERD), vol. 10, no. 2, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.29228/erd.132.
ISNAD
Yıldız, Anıl - Demirel, Doğaç Can - Feriz, Murat - Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh, Zeliha - Aslan, Yılmaz Umut - Özkan, Yasemin. “Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics Among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study”. European Journal of Research in Dentistry 10/2 (September 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.29228/erd.132.
JAMA
1.Yıldız A, Demirel DC, Feriz M, Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh Z, Aslan YU, Özkan Y. Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Eur. J. res. Dent. (ERD). 2026;10. doi:10.29228/erd.132.
MLA
Yıldız, Anıl, et al. “Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics Among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study”. European Journal of Research in Dentistry, vol. 10, no. 2, Sept. 2026, doi:10.29228/erd.132.
Vancouver
1.Anıl Yıldız, Doğaç Can Demirel, Murat Feriz, Zeliha Şanıvar Abbasgholızadeh, Yılmaz Umut Aslan, Yasemin Özkan. Esthetic Perception of Smile Esthetics among Dental Students and Dental Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Eur. J. res. Dent. (ERD). 2026 Sep. 1;10(2). doi:10.29228/erd.132