Panel Perception of Facial Attractiveness

Abstract

The full-face and profile photographic transparencies of 60 subjects (30 male, 30 female) divided equally among Angles Class I, Class II Division 1, and Class III malocclusions, taken before and after orthodontic treatment, were randomly distributed in projector carousels and shown to four panels consisting of orthodontists, dental students, art students, and the parents of children undergoing orthodontic treatment. The faces were rated according to the method of Lundstrom et al. (1987). Full-face views generally were rated more attractive than profile views and Class II and Class III malocclusion subjects were rated lower than Class I malocclusion subjects. While the art student and parent panels were less critical in their appraisal of facial attractiveness, they were less sensitive to the changes brought about by orthodontic treatment than the orthodontist and dental student panels, although all could appreciate an improvement in the Class II Division 1 group.