Influence of incisor inclination and anterior vertical facial height on facial attractiveness in an adult Asian male.

INTRODUCTION: Balanced facial proportions and hard tissue relationships are important factors in facial attractiveness. The objective of this study was to determine the most pleasing maxillary incisal inclination (MII) on the lateral profile and the impact of various lower anterior facial height (LAFH) ratios (at rest and with a smile) on facial attractiveness. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with 66 raters equally divided into 3 panels: general dentists (GD), orthodontic residents (OR), and laypersons (LP). Lateral profile view photographs of an Asian man were modified using Photoshop software (Adobe Systems, San Jose, Calif) to show altered MII and LAFH ratios at rest and when smiling. Subjective evaluations of facial attractiveness were performed by raters using a visual analog scale. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare esthetic scores among raters, and the Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare ES between groups. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences in esthetic scores among raters for -10° (P = 0.028) and -15° MII (P = 0.030). Similarly, significant differences were found in ES for 8% LAFH ratio (P = 0.022), and 4% LAFH ratio (P = 0.035) at rest. Mann-Whitney U test showed significant differences between raters for -10° and -15° MII and between 8% and 4% LAFH ratio at rest. CONCLUSIONS: All groups rated -5° inclinations to be most attractive. General dentists and orthodontic residents found normal LAFH to be the most attractive, whereas long facial height was less attractive with smile. In addition, smile had a camouflaging effect on LAFH.

The influence of incisor inclination and anterior vertical facial height on facial attractiveness in an Asian woman.

INTRODUCTION: Orthodontic treatment can help improve facial attractiveness through the modification of factors affecting the soft tissue profile. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of different maxillary incisal inclinations and lower anterior facial heights (at rest and with a smile) on the facial attractiveness of an Asian woman, as perceived by different panels of raters using visual analog scale (VAS) scores. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 66 raters equally divided into 3 panels that consisted of general dentists, orthodontic residents, and laypersons. Raters assessed modified photographs of a subject with various incisor inclinations and lower anterior facial height/total anterior facial height (LAFH/TAFH) on lateral profile view. Modifications were made using Photoshop software (Adobe, San Jose, Calif). Subjective evaluations of facial attractiveness were performed by raters using VAS. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare VAS scores among raters. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare VAS scores between groups. RESULTS: Significant differences in VAS scores were found among raters for -10° (P = 0.004) and -15° (P = 0.021) incisal inclinations. Significant differences were found in VAS scores for -8% LAFH/TAFH (P = 0.044) and 4% LAFH/TAFH with smile (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Professionals preferred normal incisal inclinations to be the most attractive. General dentists found reduced facial height to be unattractive. Orthodontic residents and laypersons considered increased LAFH/TAFH to be most unattractive. Smile had a negative impact on VAS scores at extreme anterior facial height modifications.