Self-perception of dentofacial attractiveness among patients requiring orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the self-perception of dental and facial attractiveness among patients requiring orthognathic surgery is no different from that of control patients.


METHODS
Happiness with dental and facial appearance was assessed using questionnaires completed by 162 patients who required orthognathic treatment and 157 control subjects. Visual analog scale, binary, and open response data were collected. Analysis was carried out using a general linear model, logistic regression, and chi-square tests.


RESULTS
Orthognathic patients were less happy with their dental appearance than were controls. Class II patients and women had lower happiness scores for their dental appearance. Among orthognathic patients, the "shape" and "prominence" of their teeth were the most frequent causes of concern. Older subjects, women, and orthognathic patients were less happy with their facial appearance. Class III orthognathic patients, older subjects, and women were more likely to have looked at their own face in profile. A greater proportion of Class II subjects than Class III subjects wished to change their appearance.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis is rejected. The findings indicate that women and patients requiring orthognathic surgery had lower levels of happiness with their dentofacial appearance. Although Class II patients exhibited the lowest levels of happiness with their dental appearance, there was some evidence that concerns and awareness about their facial profile were more pronounced among the Class III patients.
Johnston
Chris
C
Department of Orthodontics, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. c.d.johnston@qub.ac.uk
Hunt
Orlagh
O
Burden
Donald
D
Stevenson
Mike
M
Hepper
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D020380:Needs Assessment; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult