Self-perception of malocclusion among north Jordanian school children. (65/251)

This study was undertaken to assess the factors affecting self-perception and the demand for orthodontic treatment among north Jordanian school children. In total, 1404 students randomly selected to represent five geographical areas of northern Jordan were examined. The students were further subgrouped according to gender (858 females, 546 males), age (985 13 year olds, 419 17 year olds) and rural/urban place of residence (212 rural, 1192 urban). The aesthetic component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was used as an assessment measure of the need for orthodontic treatment. The self-perception of malocclusion was evaluated by asking each student to identify which photograph on the AC scale most closely matched the appearance of their anterior teeth. The demand for orthodontic treatment was measured by asking the students: "Do you feel it is necessary to have your teeth straightened by an orthodontist?" Differences between the self-perception of malocclusion among the different groups were tested using the chi-squared test.The results showed that the majority of students rated their dentition from grades 1 to 4, with a tendency for the females and older school children to score their teeth as more attractive than males and younger children (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Rural and urban school children did not differ in the perception of their own dentition. The self-perception scores of subjects within the no aesthetic need, borderline need and definite need groups differed significantly (P < 0.001). The subjects who reported a definite need perceived their teeth to be worse than the other two groups. The demand for orthodontic treatment was found to be affected by gender (P < 0.01) and rural/urban areas of living (P < 0.05).  (+info)

Perceptions of facial aesthetics in two and three dimensions. (66/251)

The aims of this study were to investigate whether the preferred facial relationship chosen by professionals and the general public is Class I and to ascertain whether viewing two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) images had any effect on the ranking of facial attractiveness. Orthodontists (n = 47), maxillofacial surgeons (n = 25) and members of the general public (n = 78) assessed 2D and 3D facial scans of two males and two females that had been morphed to produce five images reflecting different skeletal patterns: Class I, mild and moderate Class II, and mild and moderate Class III. Each assessor placed the images in rank order of preference, after viewing alternate 2D and 3D image formats for each face. The data were analysed using logistic regression. In 2D, professionals (orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons) chose Class I as the preferred facial image more frequently than the general public for only one of the four faces. However, in 3D format they chose Class I as the preferred facial image for some subject faces more, and others less, frequently when compared with the general public. The gender of the assessor was not significant when assessing the preferred facial relationship for Class I images in either 2D or 3D formats. The oldest assessors (56+ years) were significantly less likely than the younger age groups to select Class I as the preferred facial relationship in both 2D and 3D. In summary, there was too great a degree of variation to say that a difference between 2D and 3D facial images was evident.  (+info)

The influence of lower face vertical proportion on facial attractiveness. (67/251)

This study investigated the influence of changing lower face vertical proportion on the attractiveness ratings scored by lay people.Ninety-two social science students rated the attractiveness of a series of silhouettes with normal, reduced or increased lower face proportions. The random sequences of 10 images included an image with the Eastman normal lower face height relative to total face height [lower anterior face height/total anterior face height (LAFH/TAFH) of 55 per cent], and images with LAFH/TAFH increased or decreased by up to four standard deviations (SD) from the Eastman norm. All the images had a skeletal Class I antero-posterior (AP) relationship. A duplicate image in each sequence assessed repeatability. The participants scored each image using a 10 point numerical scale and also indicated whether they would seek treatment if the image was their own profile. The profile image with normal vertical facial proportions was rated by the lay people as the most attractive. Attractiveness scores reduced as the vertical facial proportions diverged from the normal value. Images with a reduced lower face proportion were rated as significantly more attractive than the corresponding images with an increased lower face proportion. Images with a reduced lower face proportion were also significantly less likely to be judged as needing treatment than the corresponding images with an increased lower face proportion.  (+info)

Aesthetic orthodontic brackets. (68/251)

Due to an increasing demand for superior aesthetics during fixed appliance treatment, the use of aesthetic brackets has grown in popularity over recent years. Although often requested by patients, aesthetic brackets are not without their disadvantages. This article presents the currently available plastic and ceramic brackets and discusses the potential problems associated with each. Recent advances, introduced by manufacturers in an attempt to overcome their clinical disadvantages, are described.  (+info)

A cultural comparison of treatment need. (69/251)

The aims of this study were two-fold. First to compare the perceptions of African dental aesthetics as determined by a panel of black African Senegalese and French Caucasian judges, and second to compare the sensitivity and specificity of both components of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) in relation to the opinions of African and Caucasian judges. Ninety-eight colour digital dental images of black adolescents and adults were scored for attractiveness on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) by 45 Caucasian and 41 black African judges. In addition the judges were asked to classify the level of treatment need. Both components of the IOTN and ICON were recorded for the 98 cases. The results indicated that Caucasian judges perceived the majority of images to be less attractive than African judges. African and Caucasian judges showed similar levels in the estimation of treatment need. The aesthetic component (AC) of the IOTN and ICON showed similar levels of sensitivity. Taking all factors into account, it would appear that the ICON is marginally better at identifying those individuals who are perceived to need orthodontic treatment.  (+info)

Ranking facial attractiveness. (70/251)

The first aim of this investigation was to assemble a group of photographs of 30 male and 30 female faces representing a standardized spectrum of facial attractiveness, against which orthognathic treatment outcomes could be compared. The second aim was to investigate the influence of the relationship between ANB differences and anterior lower face height (ALFH) percentages on facial attractiveness. The initial sample comprised standardized photographs of 41 female and 35 male Caucasian subjects. From these, the photographs of two groups of 30 male and 30 female subjects were compiled. A panel of six clinicians and six non-clinicians ranked the photographs. The results showed there to be a good level of reliability for each assessor when ranking the photographs on two occasions, particularly for the clinicians (female subjects r = 0.76-0.97, male subjects r = 0.72-0.94). Agreement among individuals within each group was also high, particularly when ranking facial attractiveness in male subjects (female subjects r = 0.57-0.84, male subjects r = 0.91-0.94). Antero-posterior (AP) discrepancies, as measured by soft tissue ANB, showed minimal correlation with facial attractiveness. However, a trend emerged that would suggest that in faces where the ANB varies widely from 5 degrees, the face is considered less attractive. The ALFH percentage also showed minimal correlation with facial attractiveness. However, there was a trend that suggested that greater ALFH percentages are considered less attractive in female faces, while in males the opposite trend was seen. Either of the two series of ranked photographs as judged by clinicians and non-clinicians could be used as a standard against which facial attractiveness could be assessed, as both were in total agreement about the most attractive faces. However, to judge the outcome of orthognathic treatment, the series of ranked photographs produced by the non-clinician group should be used as the 'standard' to reflect lay opinion.  (+info)

Soft tissue facial angles in Down's syndrome subjects: a three-dimensional non-invasive study. (71/251)

The aim of the present study was to obtain quantitative information concerning the three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of the facial soft tissues of subjects with Down's syndrome. The 3D co-ordinates of 50 soft tissue facial landmarks were recorded by an electromechanical digitizer in 17 male and 11 female subjects with Down's syndrome aged 12-45 years, and in 429 healthy individuals of the same age, ethnicity and gender. From the landmark co-ordinates, geometric calculations were obtained of several 3D facial angles: facial convexity in the horizontal plane (upper facial convexity, mid facial convexity including the nose, and lower facial convexity), mandibular corpus convexity in the horizontal plane, facial convexity including the nose, facial convexity excluding the nose, interlabial angle, nasolabial angle, angle of nasal convexity, left and right soft tissue gonial angles. Data were compared with that collected for the normal subjects by computing the z-scores. Facial convexity in the horizontal plane (both in the upper and mid facial third), facial convexity in the sagittal plane and the angle of nasal convexity were significantly (P < 0.05) increased (flatter) in subjects with Down's syndrome than in the normal controls. Both left and right soft tissue gonial angles were significantly reduced (more acute) in the Down's syndrome subjects. Subjects with Down's syndrome had a more hypoplastic facial middle third with reduced nasal protrusion, and a reduced lower facial third (mandible) than reference, normal subjects.  (+info)

Effects of camouflage treatment on dentofacial structures in Class II division 1 mandibular retrognathic patients. (72/251)

The aims of this study were to determine the changes in the dentofacial structures of Class II division 1 mandibular retrognathic patients treated with bilateral extraction of the upper first premolars, and to compare pre- and post-treatment values with the cephalometric norms of Anatolian Turkish adults. The Class II division 1 subjects included 20 males and 33 females (mean age: 17.08 +/- 1.03 years). All received comprehensive orthodontic treatment using an edgewise appliance and appropriate headgear. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the beginning and end of treatment. Twenty-five (14 linear and 11 angular) measurements were analysed on each radiograph. Each cephalogram was traced and digitized. For statistical evaluation, paired and independent-samples t-tests were performed. When the pre- and post-treatment measurements were compared, statistically significant differences were found for nine of 25 measurements. During treatment the facial axis, U1-SN ( degrees ), U1-NA (mm), U1-NA ( degrees ), H angle and upper lip to E plane measurements decreased, while N-ANS, interincisal angle and upper lip to Steiner S line increased. No statistically significant gender differences were found. Significant improvements were determined in ANS-Me and L1-APo measurements compared with Turkish norms. However, statistically significant deterioration was found in values related to point A, upper incisor and lower lip measurements. The findings demonstrates that camouflage treatment in Class II, mandibular retrognathic subjects has characteristic skeletal, dental and soft tissue effects on the dentofacial complex.  (+info)