Study of the Influence of Female Facial Profile Angles on the Preference of On-line Evaluators

Resumen

This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the influence of certain cephalometric angles of the female facial profile on the preference of on-line evaluators, through the collection of opinions using the worldwide computer network — the Internet. Additionally, to evaluate whether differences exist in the results found when analyzing different groups of respondents, distributed by occupation, age group, ethnic origin, sex and region of the country. To this end, eleven profile images altered by digital means and presenting different cephalometric values were evaluated by 2041 volunteers. The results obtained were submitted to Chi-square and Logistic Regression tests. Intra-observer and inter-observer tests were performed, and the methodology was tested to avoid selection, fatigue, induction and other errors known in studies of this nature. Different programming algorithms were used to control various variables. The results indicated that when changes were made to the angles studied, there was a difference (p<0.001) in evaluator preference. Through this experiment it can be concluded that the groups studied presented consistent criteria for evaluating the esthetics of the facial profiles presented in the eleven images. This study also showed that differences of opinion exist between evaluators when the associations between the evaluator's esthetic preference and sex are analyzed. A significant association was also found between the preferred images and the evaluator's region of the country, as well as ethnicity and occupation. When the cephalometric values of the images chosen by evaluators were compared to standard values associated with each measurement, the following conclusion became evident: the majority of evaluators, among the options offered, preferred images with a Nasolabial angle of 112 degrees, a Mentolabial angle of 147 degrees, a Labial angle of 105 degrees and a Facial angle of 12 degrees.

Palabras clave: Internet, orthodontics, facial profile, esthetic preference