Lip line preference for variant face types.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of altered lip line on attractiveness and to find preferred lip line for vertical face types in both genders.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical study.


METHODS
The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from May to July 2009.


METHODS
Photographs of two selected subjects were altered to produce three face types for the same individual with the aim of keeping the frame of the smile constant. Lip line was then altered for both the subjects as: both dentitions visible, upper incisors visible, upper incisors and 2 mm gum and 4 mm gum visible. The pictures were rated by different professionals for attractiveness. Descriptive statistics for the raters and multiple factor ANOVA was used to find the most attractive lip line.


RESULTS
The total number of raters was 100 with the mean age of 30.3 ± 8 years. The alterations in the smile parameters produced statistically significant difference in the attractiveness of faces, whereas the perception difference was found to be insignificant amongst raters of different professions. Preferred lip line was the one showing only the upper incisors in dolico and mesofacial male and female genders whereas 2 mm gum show was preferred in brachyfacial subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The variability in lip line showed significant difference in the perceived attractiveness. Preferred lip lines as the one showing only the upper incisors in dolico and mesofacial male and female genders whereas 2 mm gum show was preferred in brachyfacial subjects.
Dental Section, Women Medical College, Abbottabad. drnabilaanwar@gmail.com
Nabila
N
Anwar
Mubassar
M
Fida
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001504:Beauty; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D012904:Smiling; D012938:Social Perception