Aesthetic chin lines in women: A visual guide for gender-sensitive orthognathic surgery planning

Abstract

Facial harmony is strongly influenced by the projection of the chin, particularly in the lower third of the face. This study applies the visual diagnostic tool known as Aesthetic Chin Lines (ACL), previously validated in men, to a sample of attractive adult women. A total of 200 high-resolution profile photographs were analyzed to evaluate the position of the Pogonion in relation to two perpendicular reference lines: one from the subnasale and another from the incisal edge of the upper central incisor. The results revealed that only 40.5 % of the Pogonions were within the ACL, while 56 % were located posterior to the incisor line and 3.5 % anterior to the subnasale line. These findings differ significantly from those observed in men, where 84 % fell within the ACL. This supports the hypothesis that gender influences aesthetic norms for chin projection and suggests the need for tailored aesthetic guidelines in orthognathic planning for women.