Orthodontic applications of psychological and perceptual studies of facial esthetics.

Historically, orthodontists have not reconciled the paradox that their diagnostic and treatment decisions are based largely on objective morphological considerations and their patients' decision-making centers on esthetic expectations and other subjective factors related to self-image and outcome. Key to the unraveling of this discrepancy is a greater understanding of the role of perception by self and others in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. Esthetics can be defined as relating to feeling, and perception can be defined as the organization of environmental stimuli. Various physical, psychological, and social factors that affect perceptual judgments are described and related to the development and maintenance of self-image and/or concept. The impact of these self and/or other perceptions of dentofacial attractiveness on motivation for seeking orthodontic care are discussed. New quantitative approaches to relate morphological changes to perception of facial appearance are reported.