BIMAXILLARY PROTRUSION IN BLACK-AMERICANS - AN AESTHETIC EVALUATION AND THE TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS

This study attempted to discover what black Americans find attractive about their profile. Fifteen black patients (eight males, seven female s) were selected at random and used as models. Lateral photographs wer e taken on each patient, and a computer was used to alter the profiles to depict different levels of bimaxillary protrusion. Each patient wa s manipulated into four different profile types according to specific numerical guidelines. A vertical reference line from soft tissue glabe lla, perpendicular to Frankfort horizontal, was used to measure the li p position. In each profile type only the horizontal lip position was altered. The four profile types were classified as S (straight) BM1, ( bimax one), BM2 (bimax two) and BM3 (bimax three). The S profile was c onsidered a straight or white facial profile, and the BM3 was an extre me example of bimaxillary protrusion. The photographs were surveyed am ong black and white laypersons, general dentists, and orthodontists. T he results found the BM1 profile to be the most attractive. This was c onsistent with all groups surveyed. The BM1 profile would be considere d a slightly convex profile and is more protrusive than white orthodon tic norms. In this study comparisons of this profile to other standard s are made and treatment considerations for black patients are discuss ed.