DO LAYPEOPLE , STUDENTS AND ORTHODONTISTS HAVE SIMILAR CONCEPTS REGARDING FACIAL AESTHETICS ?

Abstract

Introduction: A harmonious profile is one of the objectives of the orthodontic planning. It is as important as to establish functional occlusion, since facial aesthetics is not only a concern for the orthodontist, but also for individuals who want to undergo orthodontic treatment. Objective: To analyze the facial profile considered pleasant for the white Brazilians, verify their common characteristics and, thus, guide the orthodontists in relation to facial aesthetics. Methods: Facial profile photographs from 100 adult white Brazilians were
analyzed and evaluated by 15 lay people, 15 orthodontic students and 15 orthodontists. Tracings and cephalometric analysis were made from the best rated facial profiles, including linear and angular measurements and facial proportions. Results: Considerable similarities were found between the simulated
profiles which were shaped according to each group’s outcome. These results can be attributed to the influence of the media that, somehow, contributed to homogenize the population’s standards related to facial esthetics. Conclusion: Despite the great similarity in relation to the aesthetic concepts showed by the
evaluators, lay people seem to prefer more concave profiles when compared with the other groups.