Determinants of facial profile self-perception

Abstract

Using a simple profile-simulation device, forty-two orthodontic patients and an equal number of nonorthodontic patients indicated how they thought they appeared and how they would like to appear for comparison with actual cephalometrically determined profiles. Consistent with other studies of the self-perception of body parts, patients in both orthodontic and nonorthodontic groups underestimated the protrusiveness of their lips. For the psychological measures, the actual and perceived magnitude of the protrusiveness correlated significantly with anxiety and dissatisfaction with their profiles. Futher research is suggested to develop a more refined simulation technique for use by orthodontists and surgeons interested in obtaining reliable and valid measures of patient-perceived needs and expectations of corrective procedures.