American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Original articleContribution of malocclusion and female facial attractiveness to smile esthetics evaluated by eye tracking
Section snippets
Material and methods
The institutional review board at Ohio State University approved the study. Preliminary steps were necessary to create the composite images with varying levels of facial and dental attractiveness used in this study. This allowed us to pair truly comparable and reliably rated faces and dentitions rather than searching for naturally occurring combinations and having to accept compromises.
Facial images were obtained by seeking subjects (18-30 years of age) on an availability basis on our campus
Results
Seventy-eight viewers entered the study, and 76 finished the study. Two viewers were disqualified because of difficulty in calibrating the eye tracker and not being able to keep it calibrated throughout the eye-tracking session. Only white viewers (n = 53) were used in the analysis to remove the known racial and ethnic variabilities. Of these viewers, 49% (26) were female, and 51% (27) were male. Their ages ranged from 18 to 29 years, with a mean of 19.8 years.
Intrarater reliability differed
Discussion
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of levels of dental and facial attractiveness on viewers' visual attention using objective data from eye tracking. To do this effectively, the study was conducted with only white female facial images and white viewers. The facial images projected a consistent emotion. The randomly presented “X” before each image served to minimize visual cuing of the observers. All methodologic approaches were supported by the previously cited literature and
Conclusions
- 1.
Eye tracking is a reliable and objective method for evaluating the visual attention paid to facial features.
- 2.
The eyes are the most salient facial feature, followed by the mouth, for both duration and fixations.
- 3.
The grade of dental attractiveness affected the way viewers looked at faces, and the background level of facial attractiveness was an independent factor modifying this behavior.
- 4.
An isolated (no nasal involvement) repaired unilateral cleft lip with attractive teeth has less effect on the
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All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest, and none were reported.
Financial support provided by the Dental Master's Thesis Award Program sponsored by Delta Dental Foundation, philanthropic affiliate of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.