Comparação da perceção estética da proeminência mandibular e do perfil labial entre leigos, estudantes e profissionais de medicina dentária

Abstract

Introduction: Facial aesthetics are increasingly an object of study and motivation that leads people to search orthodontic treatment. Aesthetics are influenced by a multitude of factors, including culture, which affects the aesthetic perception of beauty of individuals from different cultures. Studies show that more attractive people are more successful and more accepted in society.Purpose: The aim of this study is to identify aesthetically acceptable values for the labial profile and chin prominence in Portuguese Caucasians individuals. We intend to know the impact of these characteristics in the facial profile and determine from what values they may affect facial aesthetics.Methods: Photos of a Portuguese Caucasian male and a female, with a facial profile considered normal according to current aesthetic standards were used. The photos were manipulated in order to increase and decrease the values of the labial profile and chin prominence. These photos, randomly arranged in an album, were displayed to 90 laypeople, 90 students and 90 dentists that evaluated them, according to a visual analogue scale of 100 mm.Results: The results showed that, generally, there are no differences about aesthetics perception among genders, groups or dental students of different universities. However, some significance differences occurred in individuals with or without orthodontic treatment and between 4th or 5th year dental students. Conclusion: The studied features, such as, lip profile and mandibular prominence, have a strong impact in aesthetics perception of facial attractiveness. Extreme deviations were easily noticed by the sample and considered less attractive.

Date of Award	2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Armindo Alves (Supervisor) & Cláudia Pinto (Supervisor)