Influence of smile and facial angulations on facial attractiveness: Perceptions of laypersons, dentists and orthodontists

Objective: To evaluate the facial profile view perceived as most attractive and whether this attractiveness was influenced in a neutral and smiling face. Methodology: Sixty participants (20 each of laypersons, dentists, and orthodontists) were chosen for the study. Their facial photos were taken along with professional models' with normal occlusion. Participants were asked to rate self and model photos using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) based on attractiveness; select most attractive face by looking at panels with 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° rotated facial photos of neutral and smiling for models and self; select most attractive photo from the combination panels of neutral and smiling photos of self and model. Results: VAS scores by orthodontists for both neutral and smiling faces for both self and model were more or less similar. Dentists and laypersons found smiling photographs more attractive. The 45 angle was perceived most attractive in self and model for both the neutral and smiling categories separately by all three groups. In the combination category, orthodontist perceived the 0° smiling (model) as the most attractive followed by 45° smiling, whereas dentists and laypersons found 45° smiling photographs most attractive. Conclusion: The 45° profile view was most preferred by all three groups when assessing self as well as models. Smiling photographs of both self and model are considered more attractive than neutral photographs.