Facial attractiveness influenced by lower face vertical proportions and mandibular prominence

Abstract

Background and purpose

There is a lack of scientific evidence to guide the orthodontist on the range of skeletal discrepancy that is esthetically acceptable. Hence, this study was designed to conceptualize the acceptable values of skeletal discrepancy for a lay person by determining the most attractive facial profile and lower face vertical proportion.

Methods and subjects

Hundred lay persons rated the attractiveness of a series of silhouettes with varying profiles and lower face proportions. A series of nine images were generated using SNB values ±10° from the normal with the range divided into equal intervals of 2.5°. Another set of nine images were produced with lower anterior face height/total anterior face height (LAFH/TAFH) ranging from 47 to 63% at equal intervals of 2%. The participants scored the attractiveness of each image using visual analog scale of 0–10 and also indicated whether they would seek treatment if the image was their own profile.

Results

Profile images with Eastman normal values (SNB – 78°, LAFH/TAFH – 55% ± 2SD) were rated as most attractive. Images with SNB values greater than 78° were considered more attractive and less likely to be needing treatment than corresponding images with SNB values lesser than 78°. Images with reduced lower face proportion were considered to be more attractive and less likely to be needing treatment than corresponding images with increased lower face proportion.

Conclusions

Sagittal skeletal discrepancies were regarded by lay people as more unattractive than vertical discrepancies.

Keywords:

• Facial attractiveness
• Lower face vertical proportions
• Mandibular prominence