Perceptions of a balanced facial profile.

This research deals with the assessment of the role of the nose, lips, and chin in achieving a balanced facial profile. A survey instrument of constructed androgynous facial silhouettes was evaluated by 545 professionals. The silhouettes had varied nose, lips, and chin relationships, as well as changes in facial angle and angle of convexity. The varied facial profiles were graded on the basis of most preferred to least preferred. The data was computed, and it was found that in males, a straighter profile was preferred in comparison with a slightly convex profile for the females. Among the various unfavorable combinations, the worst ones were either with an extremely recessive chin or those with excessively convex faces. More lip protrusion was found acceptable for both male and female faces when either a large nose or a large chin was present. It is suggested that orthodontic treatment goals should be attuned to the achievement of balanced and harmonious facial features rather than rigid adherence to standard average dental and skeletal parameters. Treatment of adolescent children should also take into account the changes in the thickness of the soft tissue integument at the nose, lips, and chin.