title: Malocclusions and perceptions of attractiveness, intelligence, and personality, and behavioral intentions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we explored how others perceive persons with normal occlusion or different malocclusions (open bite, deepbite, underbite, overjet, crowding, and spacing). The objectives were to investigate (1) how occlusion affects others' perceptions of attractiveness, intelligence, and personality, and their desire to interact in personal and professional settings, and (2) whether these assessments are affected by the target person's sex or the respondent's characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey data were collected from 889 patients or accompanying adults (46% male, 54% female; age range, 18-90 years) who evaluated target photos that had been manipulated to display either a normal occlusion or 1 of 6 malocclusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ratings of attractiveness, intelligence, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion differed significantly depending on the occlusion status depicted. Persons with normal occlusion were rated as most attractive, intelligent, agreeable, and extraverted, whereas persons with an underbite were rated as least attractive, intelligent, and extraverted. Female targets were rated more positively than male targets. Younger respondents and more educated respondents were more critical in their evaluations than were older and less educated respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occlusion status affects a person's perceptions comprehensively. Subjects with normal occlusion were rated the most positively.
authors: Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109- 1078, USA.
authors: Jase A
authors: JA
authors: Olsen
authors: Marita Rohr
authors: MR
authors: Inglehart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D001504:Beauty; D003405:Creativity; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004522:Educational Status; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007360:Intelligence; D033182:Intention; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D024343:Open Bite / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012737:Sex Factors; D012928:Social Desirability; D035502:Trust; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult