Evaluation of perception of profile aesthetics by patients

Abstract

Introduction The perception of attractiveness of one’s own face and dentition are of great importance in the  decision making of orthodontic cases. The aesthetic judgements of the patients are entirely subjective and are a matter of individual taste and there are differences in how each patient recognizes different facial features. The Orthodontists perceptions are considered as gold standard when formulating plans but in order to achieve patient centered treatment goals, the preferred facial profile of their patients must be given due importance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish patient centered facial profile preference and aligning orthodontic treatment with it. Moreover, reporting patients were assessed for the most prevalent profile on the basis of angle of convexity.

Material and Methods: A sample of 190 patients was selected through Non-Probability Consecutive Sampling technique. Each patient was given a questionnaire to fill and a lateral cephalogram and lateral photograph was obtained. The questionnaire had lateral facial silhouettes for convex, straight and concave profiles. Each patient was asked to choose the most preferred profile and the least preferred profile. The lateral cephalogram and the photograph were taken in the same environment for every patient. The hard tissue angle of convexity was measured by Nasion (N)-Point A- Pogonion (Pg) on the lateral cephalogram while the angle of facial convexity including the nose, soft tissue Nasion-Pronasale-Soft tissue Pogonion (N-Prn-Pg) and facial angle of convexity excluding the nose, soft tissue Glabella-Subnasale-Soft Tissue Pogonion (G-Sn-Pg) measured on the photographs.

Results: Data was explored through SPSS version 10. Descriptive statistics, Mean ± S.D was calculated for all variables. Ideal and non-ideal profiles were ascertained. 73.7% of the patients chose straight profile to be ideal, 25.3% of the patients chose convex profile to be ideal and only 1.1 % preferred the concave profile. Most commonly reporting profile was convex as based on the findings of the angle of convexity measurement.

Conclusions: Patient centric treatment goals are a rule rather than exception. According to this study straight profile was the most preferred one as determined by patients.