Relationship of Buccal Corridor Space During Smiling with Intercommissure Width

Background: Smile esthetics play a crucial role in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, with buccal corridor space being a key determinant of smile harmony. Intercommissure width is considered an important soft tissue parameter that may influence buccal corridor visibility. However, its role in determining smile esthetics remains unclear. Objective: To assess the correlation between intercommissure width and buccal corridor space during a posed smile and determine whether intercommissure width serves as a predictor of buccal corridor display. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Orthodontics, Bolan Medical College, Quetta, from October 2021 to April 2022. A total of 98 patients (27 males, 71 females) were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Standardized frontal photographs were taken under controlled conditions to measure intercommissure width at rest and buccal corridor area during a posed smile. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Pearson’s correlation was applied to assess the relationship, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean intercommissure width was 22.80 ± 2.39 mm, and the mean buccal corridor area was 1.80 ± 0.99 mm. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.141, p = 0.089). Stratified analysis demonstrated a significant association in cases where the interpupillary-intercommissure width difference was minimal (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Intercommissure width alone was not a strong predictor of buccal corridor display, highlighting the multifactorial nature of smile esthetics. Comprehensive soft tissue assessment is essential in orthodontic treatment planning.