Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to determine whether the facial esthetics of subjects rated as "attractive" can be related to specific cephalometric soft tissue parameters.
Methods: The profile silhouettes of 100 subjects (45 males and 55 females) were rated by 60 esthetics specialists (20 orthodontists, 20 dentists, and 20 plastic surgeons) using a Likert scale, and 30 of the subjects were selected as being "attractive". The cephalometric measurements of the attractive group were then compared with norms for the general Caucasian population.
Results: The effects of specific measured parameters on profile beauty grades were assessed using the median test, and the following variables were found to show significant correlations between the Caucasian norms and the attractive profile group: the ratio of the upper to lower face height (P = 0.011), the ratio of the subnasale - labrale inferius (Sn-Li) and labrale inferius - menton (Li-Me`) lines (P = 0.011), the distance between the chin and the subnasale perpendicular (P = 0.002), upper lip thickness (P = 0.021), soft tissue chin thickness (P = 0.021), vertical height ratio (P = 0.021), and nasolabial angle (P = 0.021).
Conclusion: A straight profile with a fuller and more protruded upper lip, a higher nasal tip, and a smaller lower facial third are considered to be the most attractive facial features, and may be useful for improvement of facial esthetics.
Keywords: attractiveness; cephalometric; esthetic; perception; soft tissue profile.