IADR Abstract Archives
Esthetic Evaluation of Male and Female Profile Silhouettes among Orthodontists, Dentists and Laypeople
Objectives:
Balanced harmonious facial appearance is one of the main goals in orthodontics. Differences in esthetic preferences among laypeople, dentists and orthodontists have been found. Laypeople's perception of ideal beauty is confined to social rather than orthodontic norms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the perception of attractiveness of male and female profiles among clinicians and laypeople.
Methods: : A heterogenic Israeli group comprising 284 orthodontists, dentists and laypeople rated the attractiveness of five incrementally changed profiles presented as black silhouettes. Aesthetic evaluation was conducted separately for males and females.
Results: The straight silhouette was considered the most attractive profile for males and females, and the severe convex profile the least attractive for males by all raters. Differences between dental practitioners and laypeople were found for the least attractive and the second most-favored facial profiles for females. Despite similar esthetic rating, a statistical difference was found between orthodontists and dentists concerning the most attractive female and least attractive male silhouettes. Presumably these differences stem from the orthodontics' background characterized by strict beauty norms resulting in a more critical judgment.
Conclusions:
Orthodontists should become acquainted with differences in the perception of facial attractiveness for patient evaluation and treatment planning.
Balanced harmonious facial appearance is one of the main goals in orthodontics. Differences in esthetic preferences among laypeople, dentists and orthodontists have been found. Laypeople's perception of ideal beauty is confined to social rather than orthodontic norms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the perception of attractiveness of male and female profiles among clinicians and laypeople.
Methods: : A heterogenic Israeli group comprising 284 orthodontists, dentists and laypeople rated the attractiveness of five incrementally changed profiles presented as black silhouettes. Aesthetic evaluation was conducted separately for males and females.
Results: The straight silhouette was considered the most attractive profile for males and females, and the severe convex profile the least attractive for males by all raters. Differences between dental practitioners and laypeople were found for the least attractive and the second most-favored facial profiles for females. Despite similar esthetic rating, a statistical difference was found between orthodontists and dentists concerning the most attractive female and least attractive male silhouettes. Presumably these differences stem from the orthodontics' background characterized by strict beauty norms resulting in a more critical judgment.
Conclusions:
Orthodontists should become acquainted with differences in the perception of facial attractiveness for patient evaluation and treatment planning.