Assessing the Influence of Anteroposterior Lip Position Based on Esthetic Line on the Perceived Attractiveness

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of lip anteroposterior position based on esthetic line on the perceived attractiveness. Materials and Methods: We selected a 20s female standard lateral photograph which was within average range of cephalometric analysis, modified lips anteroposterior position based on esthetic line into 5 pictures. This study investigated and compared the preference of facial profile among the groups; male : female and dental relevance: non-dental relevance. Total 255 judges (male : female=138 : 117, relevant : non-relevant=159 : 96) who were 20s to 30s were asked to rate these photographs based in lip attractiveness using visual analogue scale (VAS). Result: All groups had similarity the average of VAS of moved backward lips 2 mm were highest and moved forward lips 4 mm were lowest. Comparing between male group and female group, there were significant differences in all pictures except for original which was not modified. In the dental groups, moved forward lips 2 mm had significant difference and the average in dental relevant group were lower than non-relevant group in lip protrusion. Conclusion: The preference about lip protrusion was similar irrespective of dental knowledge or gender. All groups preferred retrusion of lips to protrusion of lips. In female group, they had higher the average of VAS. In relevant group, they disliked protrusion rather than retrusion of lips significantly.