Orthodontists’ and laypersons’ perception of chin attractiveness in relation to lower lip position

Abstract

Introduction: Interrelationship of facial soft tissue components plays key role in establishing the facial esthetic perception. Chin prominence has relation with the esthetic look of nose and lips. Hence the objective of the present study was to determine the mean attractiveness score of various positions of chin with concomitant changing the positions of lower lip among the Pakistani orthodontists and laypersons.

Material and Methods: This cross sectional survey was conducted at de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Pakistan. 100 respondents were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic information was taken. A silhouette of an idealized profile image was made. This profile picture was modified to create 6 images each for different degrees of chin prominence and lower lip.The score of attractiveness was distinguished by both orthodontists and laypersons for all images.

Results: The study results showed that in images 1 to 7, where lip and chin moved together in sagittal plane, statistically significant differences were found between the study groups except for image number 5. In images 8 to 14, where only chin moved in sagittal plane, statistically significant difference was found between the study groups except for image 8, 9 and 14.

Conclusions: Laypersons and orthodontists both ranked retrusive profiles more attractive than protrusive profiles. In profiles with protrusive chin, more protrusive lower lip position was preferred, while with a retrusive chin, normal lower lip posture was preferred.