USC International  Restorative Dentistry Symposium:

The Plastic Surgeon’s Role in the Reconstruction of an Esthetic Dental Smile:

A Review of Current Related Facial Esthetic Procedures

The quest for preserving and/or enhancing one’s appearance in the past few decades has resulted in a multitude of procedures both in the disciplines of plastic surgery and esthetic dentistry. The goal of the patients seeking these treatments is usually one and the same – a more youthful natural appearance! Despite this common goal, the dentist and the plastic surgeon rarely are aware of what each is capable of and how they may collaboratively produce better results.

It is generally accepted that the reconstruction of an esthetically pleasing smile is a multidisciplinary approach. The design of a well-balanced smile depends on a three dimensional scale were the dentition, skeletal pattern and the soft tissue drape are inter-dependent to each other. The fourth dimension which also affects the treatment plan are the related amount of wear on the dentition and the age related facial soft tissue and skeletal changes.

The sequence of the treatments is an important integral aspect of the interdisciplinary approach. In the overall picture it will be demonstrated that it is best to restore the dentition and establish a healthy relationship between the teeth and facial bones prior to reconstructing the soft tissue drape. It is vital that each section is accurately diagnosis and treated. Over treatment, under treatment or compromising one section for the other will present with an un-esthetic outcome.

The objective of this presentation is to educate the dental professional (and thus their patient communities) of the different related facial esthetics procedures that are available to assist in the reconstruction of patients smiles for ultimate dento-facial esthetics and enhance patient satisfaction.

Guidelines for natural esthetic facial and dental analysis will be presented, after which the more common age related changes necessitating reconstruction and their treatment will be discussed.