The Relationship of Dental Aesthetic Index with Dental Appearance, Smile and Desire for Orthodontic Correction

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dental aesthetic index (DAI) and self - satisfaction with dental appearance, smile and desire for orthodontic care. METHODS A survey of 103 school children, 51 boys and 52 girls was carried out in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram. The subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of questions concerning smile, dental appearance and desire for orthodontic treatment. They were also assessed using the dental aesthetic index. RESULTS Statistically significant correlations were between subjective assessments of dental appearance and DAI (P = 0.042) and need for orthodontic treatment and DAI (P = 0.045). The strongest correlations were found between DAI and comparative evaluations of dental appearance (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION This study has shown significant correlations between DAI and subjective perceptions of dental appearance.