Aesthetic Value of the Relationship between the Shapes of the Face and Permanent Upper Central Incisor

The relationship between the shapes of face and teeth has been analyzed for esthetic purposes and exploited commercially. The methodology to assess this correlation, described in the literature, does not enable reliable application of the concepts. Digital photos of face and incisors of 100 youths were measured with the software Image Tool 3.0 and classified as to shape. The same photographs were also analyzed and classified by a visual criterion. Statistical analysis of the metrical classification was performed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The Kappa test was used to determine the coefficient of agreement between the observers and the obtained data, and to assess the agreement between both classifications (metrical and visual). The classificatory analysis made by the observers indicated a marked level of disagreement, also identified between their classification and that obtained by metrical analysis. The results indicated no relationship between the shapes of the face and the central incisor.