Aesthetic facial perception and need for intervention in laterognathism in women of different ethnicities

This study compared the perception of facial pleasantness and the need for intervention, as assessed by orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons, and laypersons, in people of different ethnicities showing varying degrees of simulated laterognathism. Facial photographs were modified to simulate deviations in the lower face of women of African, Asian and Caucasian descent, ascending in two-degree steps from zero to eight degrees of deviation. Three groups of 20 individuals each (OMF surgeons, orthodontists, and laypersons) assessed the images and rated facial pleasantness on a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 10. The results showed that orthodontists and laypersons rated faces differently only after six and eight degrees of facial change. OMF surgeons rated faces statistically differently from laypersons in all degrees of deviation, and differently from orthodontists in faces with zero, two, and four degrees of deviation. Scores for Caucasian and Asian faces differed only at two degrees of deviation. On the other hand, Caucasian and African faces differed at two and four degrees of deviation, while African and Asian faces differed only at eight degrees. The results suggest that, as a group, OMF surgeons were able to detect all degrees of lower face deviation. Moreover, orthodontists and OMF surgeons seemed to agree in terms of need for facial intervention, and saw that need more often than laypersons. In addition, ethnicity also affected the perception of milder facial changes.