The opinion of different observer groups about the esthetic impact and need for surgical correction of varying submental lengths

Purpose: This study evaluated the opinion of different observer groups about the influence of the submental length on perceived attractiveness and when surgical correction was deemed necessary. Materials and Methods: The submental length of an idealized silhouette of a white male profile was altered incrementally between 5 and 95 mm. Images were rated for attractiveness on a Likert scale by pretreatment orthognathic surgery patients (n = 75), laypersons (n = 75), and clinicians (maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists) (n = 35). Results: For perceived attractiveness, the ideal submental length was approximately 50 mm (range, 40 to 75 mm). A submental length shorter than or equal to 30 mm was deemed unattractive by all 3 groups. Overall, a submental length less than 40 mm generally was judged less attractive than a comparable increase in length. Clinicians were generally least likely to suggest surgery for varying submental lengths. For this group, the cutoff at which the majority suggested surgery was a submental length of 25 mm or less. For the patient and layperson groups, the corresponding cutoff values were a length shorter than or equal to 30 mm or equal to 95 mm. Conclusions: A submental length of approximately 50 mm (range, 40 to 75 mm) was viewed by most observers as attractive. At 30 mm or less, it was generally deemed progressively less attractive. Clinicians were less likely to suggest corrective surgery than were the patient and layperson groups. For comparative proportional relationships, the submental length should be between the lower lip–chin height and lower facial height, assuming an otherwise proportional facial profile.