Facial Indices in Chinese Ethnic Students Aged 20-­22

Abstract

Facial aesthetics is one of the factors affecting personal confidence in a social community. Facial indices are very important to obtain a facial aesthetic in orthodontic treatment. Facial indices can be influenced by gender and ethnicity. Objectives: To measure facial indices of Chinese ethnic students at the Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University aged 20-22 years old in 2011 using anthropometric measurements. Methods: This was an observational descriptive study. Facial indices of 48 students were measured using dial caliper. Results: Male have larger facial index (89.5±5.66), than female (86.67±4.45). Mouth-face width index and upper facial index of female was greater when compared with male, which mouth-face index of female was 35.22±2.46 while index of male was 34.69±3.04. Upper facial index of female was 56.03±2.99 and male was 55.35±3.72. The lower facial height-facial height index was greater in male (61.22±1.77) than female (60.20±3.81). Chin-lower facial height index was also greater in male (50.63±3.61) than female (49.64±4.04). Conclusion: Chinese male aged 20-22 have leptoprosop facial type and higher lower facial height and chin, whereas Chinese female aged 20-22 have mesoprosop facial type, higher facial height and wider mouth.