Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dental esthetics play a significant role in perceived facial attractiveness. This study aimed to assess and compare smile characteristics, smile perception and satisfaction with smile appearance among young adult populations in Latvia (Northern Europe) and Uzbekistan (Central Asia). METHODS: A total of 200 participants (100 Latvian and 100 Uzbek), aged 20-35 years, were divided into two groups. In the first group, photographs of the smiles of 50 Latvian and 50 Uzbek participants were analyzed for smile characteristics (smile type, smile symmetry, number of teeth displayed in a smile, position of maxillary incisor edge relative to the lower lip, smile arc, dental midline). In the second group, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically to 50 respondents from each country to evaluate smile perception and satisfaction with smile appearance. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, Spearman test, and Pearson Chi-Square test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between Latvian and Uzbek participants in smile type (p = 0.009) and the number of teeth displayed in a smile (p = 0.05). Satisfaction with smile appearance was significantly higher among Uzbek participants compared to Latvians (p = 0.004). The average smile line and parallel smile arc were the most preferred designs in both countries. CONCLUSION: Differences in smile characteristics and satisfaction with smile appearance exist between Latvian and Uzbek populations, while smile perception is largely similar. These findings highlight the influence of cultural backgrounds on self-perception of the smile and emphasize the importance of culturally informed dental treatment planning.