Dental aesthetics—a survey of attitudes in different groups of patients

In contemporary dentistry, the needs of patients are
considered in terms of function and dental appearance.
Prior to undertaking aesthetic restorative dentistry, the
task of the dentist is to ascertain and plan treatment to
meet the expectations of the patient. The appearance
of the teeth is related to both cultural factors and
individual preferences, i.e. the viewer’s perception of a
visual experience can be pleasant or unpleasant, and
what is considered ‘beautiful’ in one culture may be
‘ugly’ in another. It has also been shown that the
aesthetic values of the patient may differ from those of
his or her dentist.