Self-perception of profile among orthodontic patients: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective To make a preliminary study on self-perception of profile among orthodontic patients. Methods A total of 226 orthodontics patients (79 males and 147 females with average age of 19.3 years) were enrolled in this study. All the patients were treated in the Department of Orthodontics, Sun Yat-sen University Hospital of Stomatology during May to August 2016. Self-perception of profile was investigated in the patients. They were asked whether they had ever noticed their own profile and to choose from among various photos the one that most resembled their own profile. Then profile photos of patients were taken and measured. Differences between self-perception profile and actual profile were compared using paired t test. Results There were 147 patients (41 males and 106 females) answered that they had noticed their own profile. Difference was significant between patients＇ actual profile and self-perception profile (P 0.05). Compared with male patients, difference was smaller between female patients＇ actual profile and self-perception profile. Conclusions Compared with male patients, female patients put more emphasis on their own profile. Patients＇ self-perception of their own profile is not accurate. Female patients＇ self-perception of their own profile is more accurate than male patients. Key words: Orthodontics; Cosmetic techniques; Facial profile; Self-perception; Facial convexity angle