Abstract: Stability, function, and esthetics are the goals of orthodontic treatment. When performing an orthodontic diagnosis and a treatment planning, facial esthetics become the key factor to be emphasized on. A pleasing profile look has been a great concern in most orthodontic patients. In nearly a century, due to an advancement of new technology, there is a remarkable change in the evaluation of orthodontic esthetics. This change has benefited the assessment of facial characteristics through various techniques, such as the use of anthropometry, picture analysis, computer-generated imaging, cephalometric analysis, etc. This paper will review on the longitudinal development in profile analysis at different times.

Key words: orthodontic esthetics, profile harmony, cephalometric analysis