Esthetic evaluation of soft tissue profile : Part 1: Differences in evaluation by the general public, orthodontists and orthodontic patients

Abstract

There has been much research on how people avaluate an aesthetic profile. Several factors are involved. We gave questionnaires orthodontic patients, orthodontists and people representing the general public. The general public gave the highest evaluation to normal occlusion, followed by Angle class II-2, Angle class II-1, Angle class III and bimaxillary protrusion in that order. There were significant differences at p<0.01 between normal occlusion and class II-2, and between class II-1 and class III. Among orthodontists, the order of evaluation was same as for the general public. There were significant differences at p<0.01 between normal occlusion and class II-2, between class II-2 and class II-1, and between class II-1 and class III. The was a significant difference at p<0.05 between class III and bimaxillary protrusion. Among orthodontic patients, the order of the evaluation was the same as for the general public. There were significant differences at p<0.01 between class II-2 and class II-1, between class II-1 and class III, and between class III and bimaxillary protrusion. The order of evaluation was similar for orthodontic patients and the general public, but there were considerable differences in the order for orthodontists. Among orthodontic patients, there was a strong tendency to regard protrusion of the lips as very unesthetic.Shika Igaku(J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2003 Dec; 66(4): 308-318.