Dental Research 2025

A scientific understanding of psychological and behavioral factors is crucial for determining treatment outcomes in jaw deformities. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) traits and gaze patterns in patients with jaw deformities. Sixty patients and 40 age-matched healthy controls completed the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) and underwent eye-tracking while viewing photographs of self- and stranger-faces. Patients scored significantly higher on the BICI than controls (p < 0.05). Eye-tracking analyses revealed that patients fixated on the jaw region for longer than controls when viewing both self- and stranger-faces (both p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed that greater fixation on the jaw region was associated with higher BICI scores in both conditions (both p < 0.05). These findings suggest that jaw deformities are linked with specific psychiatric characteristics and atypical gaze behavior. Clinically, the results underscore the importance of integrating psychological assessment and support with surgical correction. A multidisciplinary approach may drive translational advances in the treatment of jaw deformities by addressing the interplay between craniofacial morphology, cognition, and mental health, thereby optimizing both functional and psychological outcomes.