A study of esthetic facial profile preference in Korean

Choi, Jun Gyu; Lee, Ki Soo

Abstract

Soft tissue profile is a critical area of interest in the development of an orthodontic treatment and diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the facial profile preference of diversified group and to investigate the relationship between most preferred facial profile and existing soft tissue reference lines. A survey instrument of constructed facial silhouettes was evaluated by 894 lay person. The silhouettes had varied nose, lips, chin and soft tissue subnasale point. Seven sets of facial type were computer-generated by an orthodontist to represent distinct facial types. The varied facial profiles were graded on the basis of most preferred to least preferred. Every facial profile were measured by soft tissue reference lines(Ricketts E-line, Burstone B-line) to observe the most preferred facial profile. The results as follows: 1. In reliability test, the childhood group showed lower value than other groups, which means that this group has no concern on facial profile preference. 2. It appears that sexual and age difference made no significant difference in selecting the profile 3. An agreement to least preferred facial profile was higher than an agreement to most preferred facial profile. 4. Coefficient of concordance (Kendall W) was higher in the twentieth group. It means that a profile preference of the twentieth is distinct. 5. A lip protrusion (to Ricketts E-line and Burstone B-line) of most preferred facial profile was similar to measurements of previous study that investigate skeletal and soft tissue of esthetic facial profile of young Korean. So these reference lines can be used valuably in clinics. 6. Profile of excessive lip protrusion or retrusion to E-line & B-line was least preferred. 7. Most preferred profile of all respondents group was straight profile. Profile that showing convex profile was not preferred and the least preferred profile was concave profile.