Anteroposterior Position of Mandible and Perceived Need for Orthognathic Surgery
Purpose
This study investigated the association between the anteroposterior position of the mandible and the perceived need for orthognathic surgery.
Materials and Methods
Profiles of 2 men, 1 black and 1 white, and 2 women, 1 black and 1 white, were photographed and altered to produce photos with a straight profile and 6 simulations of mandibular discrepancies, 3 by retrusion and 3 by protusion from each original face. The 28 faces were evaluated by orthodontists, maxillofacial surgeons, artists, and laypersons.
Results
The greatest numbers of indications for surgery were made for male convex profiles and for female concave profiles. Laypersons were more tolerant to profile changes, whereas maxillofacial surgeons indicated surgery and stated that they would seek facial surgery if profiles were their own in a greater number of cases.
Conclusion
The angle of facial convexity has a strong effect on the perceived need for orthognathic surgery.
⁎Dentist, Specialist in Orthodontics and Pediatric Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
†Adjunct Professor, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr de Almeida: Federal University of Bahia, School of Dentistry, Orthodontics, Av Araújo Pinho, 62, 7 andar, Canela, 40110-150, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
ABSTRACT