Aging changes in maxillary anterior teeth in untreated individuals: an observational longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE: The aging of the occlusion and tooth wears influence the smile design This study aimed at evaluating the aging changes of maxillary anterior teeth in nontreated subjects. METHODS: The sample comprised dental models of 23 subjects (13 male, 10 female) with normal occlusions, taken at 13 (T1), 17 (T2) and 61 (T3) years of age. The following variables were measured in the maxillary anterior teeth using digital dental models: crown width/height proportion, anterior view width, crown angulation, gingival and incisal steps between central/lateral incisors and central incisors/canines. Interphase comparisons were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Tukey tests or Friedman tests. Sexual differences were evaluated using t tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: From 13 to 61 years of age, a decrease of crown width/height proportion (P = 0.008 and P = < 0.001, for the lateral incisor and canines, respectively) and mesiodistal angulation (P = < 0.001, P = 0.001 and P = 0.025 for the central incisor, lateral incisor and canines, respectively) of the maxillary anterior teeth were observed. The steps of the gingival margin and the incisal steps decreased with aging. CONCLUSIONS: From adolescence to late adulthood, untreated individuals with normal occlusions demonstrated changes in the maxillary anterior teeth that may impair the smile esthetics and attractiveness.