title: Photometric analysis of esthetically pleasant and unpleasant facial profile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify which linear, angular and proportionality measures could influence a profile to be considered esthetically pleasant or unpleasant, and to assess sexual dimorphism.
  
  
  METHODS
  150 standardized facial profile photographs of dental students of both sexes were obtained and printed on photographic paper. Ten plastic surgeons, ten orthodontists and ten layperson answered a questionnaire characterizing each profile as pleasant, acceptable or unpleasant. With the use of a score system, the 15 most pleasant and unpleasant profiles of each sex were selected. The photographs were scanned into AutoCAD computer software. Linear, angular and proportion measurements were obtained using the software tools. The average values between groups were compared by the Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The linear measures LL-S, LL-H, LL-E, LL-B and Pn-H showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Statistical differences were also found in the angular measures G'.Pn.Pg', G'.Sn.Pg' and Sn.Me'.C and in the proportions G'-Sn:Sn-Me' and Sn-Gn':Gn'-C (p < 0.05). Differences between sexes were found for the linear measure Ala-Pn, angles G'-Pg'.N-Pn, Sn.Me'.C, and proportions Gn'-Sn:Sn-Me' and Ala-Pn:N'-Sn. (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anteroposterior position of the lower lip, the amount of nose that influences the profile, facial convexity, total vertical proportion and lip-chin proportion appear to influence pleasantness of facial profile. Sexual dimorphism was identified in nasal length, nasofacial and lower third of the face angles, total vertical and nasal height/length proportions.
authors.forename: Helena Nunes da Rocha
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: Thamirys Correia
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Ivana Mara Lira
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Belo
authors.forename: Edgard Norões Rodrigues
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: da Matta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001290:Attitude; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; 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; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009970:Orthodontics; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Esthetics; Orthodontics; Photography