| Introduction. The purpose of this study was to compare facial esthetic preferences in two-dimensions (2-D) and three-dimensions (3-D) and to determine the preferred facial relationship. Methods. Orthodontists (n=33), dental students (n=26), and laypersons (n=27) assessed 2-D images (frontal, profile) and 3-D surface images of 20 subject within three facial profile: Class I (n=9), Class II (n=7), and Class III (n=4) on a visual analog scale. A subset from each profile type was ranked in order of preference for 2-D and 3-D images separately. The data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics. Results. Three-D images are viewed significantly more attractive than 2-D. Professionals and laypeople preferred the Class I facial profile in 2-D and 3-D. However, orthodontists rated significantly higher than laypeople and dental students. Conclusions. Although the clinical significance of these differences is unknown, 3-D surface imaging is a tool that will bring orthodontic records into the next generation. |
