BACKGROUND AND AIM: The factors affecting the attractiveness of the soft tissue profile are assessed in only very few nonmatched and controversial studies. We aimed to evaluate these factors in a matched comprehensive study. METHODS: Profile photographs of 100 students with good occlusion were sorted according to facial beauty by 20 judges. After excluding 40 unmatched subjects or those with marginal scores, 12 soft tissue variables were compared among profiles of 30 attractive and 30 unattractive matched participants (t test, α = 0.05). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As the most important factor, excessive mandibular retrusion made both men and women unattractive. Both attractive men and women tended to have less prominent noses with higher nose tips, protruded upper lips compared with the position of lower lips, and deeper lower faces. Closeness of lips to the middle of vertical chin-nose distance enhanced female beauty only. Straight profiles and more protruded maxillae merely made men more attractive.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: The factors affecting the attractiveness of the soft tissue profile are assessed in only very few nonmatched and controversial studies. We aimed to evaluate these factors in a matched comprehensive study. METHODS: Profile photographs of 100 students with good occlusion were sorted according to facial beauty by 20 judges. After excluding 40 unmatched subjects or those with marginal scores, 12 soft tissue variables were compared among profiles of 30 attractive and 30 unattractive matched participants (t test, α = 0.05). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As the most important factor, excessive mandibular retrusion made both men and women unattractive. Both attractive men and women tended to have less prominent noses with higher nose tips, protruded upper lips compared with the position of lower lips, and deeper lower faces. Closeness of lips to the middle of vertical chin-nose distance enhanced female beauty only. Straight profiles and more protruded maxillae merely made men more attractive.