Role of the chin prominence on perceived attractiveness and desire for face surgery

Aim: The purpose of this investigation is to describe a potentially useful analysis in assessing the requiredextent of sagittal chin augmentation or set-back, by relating chin prominence to lower lip position usingthe ‘lower lip-chin prominence angle’. The secondary aim was to quantitatively evaluate the influence ofthis angle on perceived attractiveness and desire for surgery. Materials and method: Having described this angular analysis, a quantitative evaluation was undertaken by incrementally altering the angle on an idealised profile image to create a range of images that were rated on a 7-point Likert scale by a pre-selected group of pre-treatment orthognathic patients, clinicians and laypeople. In treatment planning alterations in chin prominence, an ‘ideal’ sagittal position with soft tissue pogonion on or just behind a true vertical line through the most prominent point of the lower lip may be used. Results and conclusions: Chin retrusion or prominence up to an angle of 15 retrusion to 5 prominence is deemed acceptable. Surgery is desired from chin prominence of greater than 15 and retrusions greater than 25. The greater the retrusion or prominence of the chin from an angle of 0, the less the perceived attractiveness and the greater the desire for surgical correction.