Fine tuning facial harmony assesment model to individual countries

Abstract

Research indicated that many facial parameters contribute to generation of a “harmonious face” which is makes it more appealing to observers. There are different theories developed on which and how these parameters blend in to make a harmonious face. Determination of these parameters and the method of determining “facial harmony” is important since achieving a harmonious face is the primary goal in dental and aesthetic surgical procedures. A model developed for computer-aided assessment of facial harmony provides computerized assessment of facial harmony by using patient's images before and after the surgical procedures. The model utilizes “theory of averages” as a mechanism for measurement of facial harmony which is widely used by most aesthetic surgeons and orthodontists for assessment of facial proportions of the patient. The output of the developed model is an index which reflects the degree of harmony of facial features and how well they blend into each other. The constructed model so far has assumed same parameters would be valid for all Caucasian males as long as they are Caucasian in origin. Same assumption was valid for females. In this study we question the claim of fixed parameters and try to fine tune the model by determining how some parameters change from one country to another.