Influence of color on attractiveness of sky hook type maxillary protractor

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the esthetic attractiveness of the Sky Hook type of maxillary protractor, available in different colors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight Sky Hook type of maxillary protractors of different colors were evaluated. Images were obtained of the same patient, and standardized with the aid of an image manipulation program (Adobe Photoshop software from CS) to obtain the colors white, gray, green, yellow, blue, pink, brown and black. After acquisition the images were printed on photographic paper and incorporated into a specific and personalized questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed among children of both genders, in the age-ranges from 7 to 8, and 9 to 10 years, at public and private schools (n=200). Fro the scores attributed to each image, the Mann-Whitney test was used, and among groups, Spearman's Correlation. The level of significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: The scores attributed to the color green presented significant difference between the schoolchildren from public and private schools. In a comparison between genders, the boys awarded better scores to the colors gray and black, whereas the girls awarded better scores to the color pink. When the age groups examined were compared, only the color blue presented statistical differences. CONCLUSION: The color of the Sky Hook type of maxillary protractor has an influence on the esthetic attractiveness to children from 7 to 10 years, and preference determined by colors is also influenced by gender and the type of school (public or private) and age group.