Association Between Facial Profile Attractiveness and Full-Face Attractiveness in Individuals With Convex Facial Profiles.

OBJECTIVES

Facial attractiveness significantly influences social and personal outcomes, and therefore, interventions in orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery often aim at enhancing facial appearance. This study investigated the relationship between facial profile attractiveness and overall (frontal and profile) facial attractiveness to determine whether assessments relying solely on profile views sufficiently capture comprehensive facial evaluation.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The sample consisted of 36 Class II Division 1 individuals with convex profiles, balanced in sex distribution. Ratings were provided by orthodontists, surgeons, patients, and laypersons. Facial attractiveness was evaluated using a validated visual analogue scale, comparing profile-only images with images showing the frontal and profile facial views simultaneously.

RESULTS

A moderate to strong positive correlation between profile and overall facial attractiveness was demonstrated across all rater groups (Pearson's r = 0.62-0.84). Surgeons tended to rate profiles less favourably than the overall face, while laypeople rated profiles higher. Median absolute differences between profile and overall attractiveness ratings reached 8.3/100, with deviations occasionally reaching clinically significant levels in individual cases. The variation in ratings suggests that factors beyond profile attractiveness influence overall facial attractiveness. Scatter plot analyses revealed stronger correlations among specialists compared to non-specialists.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the limitations of relying solely on profile assessments for treatment planning and outcome evaluation in patients with convex profiles. Comprehensive evaluation of multiple facial aspects, ideally including 3D analysis, is recommended to better address patients' aesthetic concerns and social functionality.