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Symmetry

The Biology of It All…

Among studies across the animal kingdom, the most important characteristic in for mating is symmetry and balance, and thus can be argued the most important “attractive” characteristic for us as well.  Symmetry reveals genetic diversity; the more heterozygous the individual, the more symmetry is noticed in the face.  This is important because of the ability for these individuals to resist disease and withstand environmental factors.

But remember… no face is perfectly symmetrical.

Etiology of Asymmetry (from Wikipedia.com)

Congenital defect

• Facial hemi-trophy or hypertrophy of superfacial tissue , muscle & bone.
• Mandibular Condylar hypoplasia due to intrauterine or birth trauma.
• TMJ Ankylosis, the mandible moves to the affected side.
• Mandibular body or ramus hyperplasia, the mandible moves to the unaffected side.

Traumatic

Zygomatic process fracture & followed infra orbital depression.

Inflammatory

Abscess – cellulitis – cyst

 Muscular

a- Atrophy of facial musculature following Bell’s palsy.

b- Hyperplasia of masseter muscle in clenching habit.

c- Patients using only one side in chewing

Salivary Glands

Inflammatory as mumps or neoplastic.

Neoplastic

Ameloblatoma – lipoma – osteoma

 

I read articles about dentistry when I was writing this. I started noticing (while watching hockey) how people who have had broken facial bones are less symmetrical and less physically attractive. Or maybe it’s because they don’t shave. Anyways… they at least up the sexy-ness factor through having gorgeous bodies.