Comparison of the frontal esthetic preferences in the lower facial portion of Koreans and Caucasians.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the differences in frontal esthetics in the lower face among Caucasian models, Korean models, and Korean nonmodels.


METHODS
The sample consisted of three groups comprising 36 Caucasian models, 30 Korean models, and 26 Korean nonmodels. Their frontal photos were scanned, and 12 distances, five angles, lip perimeter, and lip area were measured. Differences among groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the upper lip height among the three groups. The Korean models had shorter lower lip to chin height than the two other groups. Full lip width was wider in the Korean and Caucasian models than in the Korean nonmodels. The Caucasian models had greater total vermilion area compared to both Korean groups. Finally, the Korean models had fuller lower and thinner upper vermilion areas than the nonmodels.


CONCLUSIONS
Attractive lower facial portions in Caucasians are different from those of Koreans. Therefore, clinicians in Korea should use these data as guidelines for evaluating and enhancing patients' frontal facial esthetics.
Kang
Yoon-Goo
YG
Department of Orthodontics, Kyunghee University, East-West Neo Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Lee
Yong-Hun
YH
Kook
Yoon-Ah
YA
Kim
Seong-Hun
SH
Sinclair
Peter M
PM
D044466:Asian People; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D056910:Republic of Korea; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult