Pilot Study of Quantitative Evaluation of Attention to Faces of Patients With Orthognathic Surgery Using Eye-tracking

What this Trial Is About

Dentofacial deformities are jaw shape anomalies that affect the lower face and dental bite, classified mainly as class I, II, or III based on the position of the upper and lower molars. Class II and III deformities can impair chewing, cause pain or sleep apnea, and lead to reduced self-esteem and social discomfort. These conditions often require orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery, which can improve facial appearance and function, potentially enhancing quality of life. This pilot study evaluates how people visually attend to faces of patients before and after orthognathic surgery using eye-tracking technology. Participants will view a 10-minute video sequence showing standardized photographs of control subjects with normal jaw alignment (class I) and patients with class II and III deformities both before and after surgery. The images alternate between front and side views. During viewing, an eye-tracking device will record how long participants fixate on specific facial areas such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and chin. The visual attention data will be analyzed with specialized software to quantify differences in gaze patterns. During the study visit, participants will freely observe the video while their eye movements are recorded. The primary measurement is the total fixation time on the lower third of the face (mouth and chin area) in one day. Secondary measurements include fixation durations on the eyes and nose and comparisons between patient groups and controls before and after surgery. The study aims to understand changes in social perception related to facial appearance following orthognathic surgery, with all assessments completed during the single study day.

Quantitative Evaluation of Attention to Faces After Orthognathic Surgery With Eye-tracking