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Facial Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2464-3717
Original Research

Artificial Intelligence-based Assessment of Facial Symmetry Aesthetics of Saudi Arabian Population

Mohammad Khursheed Alam    *
1   Division of Orthodontics, Preventive Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
,
Ahmed Ali Alfawzan   *
2   Department of Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
› Author Affiliations Funding This work was funded by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Jouf University (grant number DGSSR-2024-01-01041).
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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate facial symmetry aesthetics (FSA) in the Saudi Arabian population using artificial intelligence (AI).

Two hundred and ten people from a range of demographic backgrounds participated in an observational cross-sectional study that was done at a hospital. Standardized posed photos of the face and smile were taken using a Canon camera utilizing a stratified random sample approach. Webceph software (Korea) with AI was used to evaluate macro, micro, and tiny aesthetic factors. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests, post hoc Bonferroni testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and descriptive statistics. The computation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) was utilized to assess the dependability of AI evaluations.

All variables had ICCs of more than 0.97, indicating exceptional dependability for the AI-based evaluations. Between the Class I and Class III malocclusion groups, there were significant variations in right mandibular body length (p < 0.001), with Class III patients exhibiting greater values. While no significant changes were identified for other characteristics, paired t-tests showed a significant divergence in mandibular body length between the right and left sides (p = 0.001). In Class III malocclusion, there was a significant preference for right deviation in the direction of mandibular deviation (p = 0.005). These results imply that AI is capable of accurately identifying some anatomical characteristics associated with face aesthetics, especially when it comes to differentiating between Class III malocclusions.

In conclusion, the Saudi Arabian population's facial symmetry assessments via AI have demonstrated a high degree of reliability and consistency. Notably, the length of the mandible on the right side has emerged as a crucial feature in discriminating between malocclusion classes. The study emphasizes how AI might improve the accuracy of assessments of face aesthetics and our knowledge of facial features connected to malocclusion.

Keywords

facial symmetry aesthetics - mandibular deviation - Webceph software - Saudi Arabian population - artificial intelligence - malocclusion - facial aesthetics

Ethical Approval

This study approved by the Committee of Research Ethics, Deanship of Scientific Research, Qassim University (23-33-03), which complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were followed to design and conduct the study.


Authors' Contributions

M.K.A. and A.A.F. were responsible for conceptualization, methodology, software, validation, formal analysis, investigation, resources, data curation, writing—original draft preparation, writing—review and editing. M.K.A. was responsible for funding acquisition. Both authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.


Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article. The (Excel raw data) data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.


* Both authors contributed equally to this article and are the first authors.




Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 November 2024

Article published online:
29 November 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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