Assessing the influence of chin prominence on profile esthetics: A survey study

The aim of this survey study was to assess the influence of chin prominence on the perception of profile esthetics between genders by orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMF), plastic surgeons, orthognathic patients and laypersons.

A total of 731 observers participated in this study. Profile photographs of one female and one male showing ideal soft tissue values, skeletal class 1 relationship, and normodivergent facial type were modified with photo editing program (Adobe Photoshop CC software), so that the chin was moved posteriorly up to 10 mm and anteriorly up to 8 mm at 2-mm intervals. Participants were asked to rate 11 female and 11 male profile images and to assess whether surgery was needed.

Within the limits of this study, ideal, slightly concave and slightly convex profiles for females, and ideal and slightly concave profiles for males were found more acceptable. Surgery was desired for 50.9% of retrusive profiles and 57.3% of protrusive profiles. Female participants had a higher rate of desire for surgery than male participants, and clinicians desired surgery significantly less than others. Desire for surgery started from 4 mm in males and females for all groups, from -6 mm in orthodontists and OMFs, from -4 mm in other groups in females, and from -6 mm in males for all groups.

Clinicians tend to operate more pronounced cases when compared to laypeople. A significantly higher rate of surgery was desired for protrusive chin profiles, and female participants had a higher desire for surgery.