Facial Proportions of Indian Americans and Its Clinical Applications

Abstract

Introduction: All humans have same features in the face. But, their proportions and relationships vary one face from another even within the group or race. The balance and harmony of various facial features are essential to the surgeon who requires facial analysis in the diagnosis and treatment planning. Facial proportions are well discussed in western populations, but only a limited number of studies exist for Asian Americans. Objectives: To determine the normal average horizontal facial proportions, to determine the proportions of lowerface height and to determine any significant sex differences that exist in the Indian American students of American University of Antigua (AUA), Antigua. Methods: The direct anthropometric measurements (horizontal thirds of the face and proportions of lowerface height) were carried out using digital caliper in 100 men and 100 women Indian American students (18-30 years) of AUA, Antigua and compared between sexes. Results: The Midface height and lowerface height were higher in men than women whereas the forehead height was higher in women compared to men. The Midface height was higher than the lowerface and forehead heights in both sexes. The forehead, Midface and lowerface heights showed statistically significant sexual difference. The upper one third and the lower two third of the lowerface height proportions were significant sexual difference. Conclusion: Facial proportions are considered as ideal silhouette to facilitate the surgeon with facial analysis and add a quantifiable dimension to perioperative assessment in surgical facial treatments. The facial proportions data obtained in the present study can be used as a reference value for Indian Americans which can be made use of if they need to undergo facial surgeries in the United States of America (USA).