FACE-Q in Aesthetic Dentistry and Orofacial Harmonization:

Current Evidence

Abstract

Orofacial Harmonization (OFH) has consolidated itself as one of the most sought-after aesthetic practices of the last decade, driving the demand for instruments capable of assessing not only clinical outcomes but also psychosocial impact and patient satisfaction. In this context, the FACE-Q, a modular questionnaire specifically developed to measure patient-reported outcomes in facial aesthetics, has emerged as a promising tool, with wide acceptance across different cultural and clinical settings. The aim of this review was to critically analyze the scientific literature on the application of FACE-Q in facial aesthetics, with emphasis on orofacial harmonization, exploring its validity, reliability, and clinical relevance. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE database up to February 2025, using MeSH descriptors and keywords such as “FACE-Q,” “patient-reported outcome measures,” “facial aesthetics,” and “orofacial harmonization”. The initial screening identified 282 articles, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to critical narrative analysis. The selected studies included cross-cultural validations of the instrument in different languages (Arabic, Dutch, Finnish, and Brazilian Portuguese), psychometric analyses, comparative clinical trials, the development of new modules (such as the naturalness module), and direct applications in the context of OFH. Consistently, the findings indicate that FACE-Q demonstrates robust psychometric properties, including construct validity, high reliability, and sensitivity to clinical change. Furthermore, it proved useful in assessing patient satisfaction with facial appearance, self-esteem, perceived naturalness of outcomes, and the impact on quality of life and psychosocial well-being. These findings reinforce its clinical applicability in both scientific research and professional practice, enabling more precise and patient-centered follow-up. In conclusion, FACE-Q currently represents one of the most comprehensive and validated tools for measuring outcomes in facial aesthetics and orofacial harmonization. However, the literature still lacks longitudinal, multicenter, and comparative studies to confirm its use as the gold standard in the field, particularly across diverse populations and cultural contexts.