Advances in technology and biomaterials have dramatically expanded the possibilities for esthetic optimization in restorative dentistry. Too often, however, such treatment focuses exclusively on the dental area and fails to consider the overall facial composition. This easy-to-read text provides the clinician with a systematic approach to facial evaluation during esthetic treatment planning. Separate chapters guide the reader to an understanding of the esthetic parameters involved in facial, dentolabial, phonetic, dental, and gingival analysis. Each chapter presents prosthetic considerations and applications that allow the clinician to formulate an optimal treatment plan based on the individual clinical situation of the patient. Also provided is an esthetic checklist that allows the clinician to apply the principles described in the text to everyday practice. Amply illustrated, this text is an invaluable tool for all clinicians practicing esthetic and restorative dentistry.
352 pp; 1,136 illus; (mostly color);
ISBN: 978-1-85097-108-5; 9781850971085;
Contents
Chapter 1 Establishing Communication with Patients
Working with patients to determine the optimal therapeutic approach
Chapter 2 Facial Analysis
Planning the prosthetic rehabilitation through analysis of the
facial reference lines
Chapter 3 Dentolabial Analysis
Analyzing labial movements and the relationship between the teeth
and lips for ideal esthetic integration of the restoration
Chapter 4 Phonetic Analysis
Appraising the dentolabial relationship during phonesis
to determine ideal incisal length, adequate tooth position,
and correct vertical dimension of occlusion
Chapter 5 Tooth Analysis
Optimizing shape, proportion, and arrangement of the
anterior teeth to create pleasing esthetics and correct function
Chapter 6 Gingival Analysis
Idealizing the gingival outline and appearance while
maintaining periodontal health
Esthetic Checklist
Preface
Universally recognized basic principles make it possible to express an opinion about what is commonly considered to be attractive. Countenance and smile determine the expressive strength and quality of each of us, as they represent forms of nonverbal communication that are able to express joy, friendliness, generosity, and approval. It is therefore quite natural to desire that one’s smile will leave a pleasing impression. While maintaining the inescapable individual characteristics peculiar to each patient, the clinician will have the task of balancing the patient’s esthetic needs with functional requirements. The perfecting of innovative techniques and materials affords the clinician increasingly better esthetic optimization, but progress, to the point of technologic exasperation, often leads to too much focus on the dental aspect, while overlooking the need to integrate the restorations within the more general context of the face.
The importance and value of accurate knowledge about the general principles of esthetics have already been widely covered in other texts,1–3 which have undoubtedly been a source of inspiration in the writing of this book. The scope of volume 1 is the rationalization of the esthetic parameters; their analysis is facilitated by compiling a specific esthetic checklist, which, developed in parallel with the six chapters of this book, allows a systematic approach through facial, dentolabial, phonetic, tooth, and gingival analysis.
The suggestions given for each individual parameter, in the prosthetic considerations and applications, provide further guidance in formulating a treatment plan that is, as far as possible, tailored to the patient’s unique clinical situation, which often demands a multidisciplinary approach. This type of clinical approach allows prosthetic rehabilitation to be ideally integrated from the biologic and functional standpoints (volume 2) and, together with the application of the esthetic principles, permits the restoration of a pleasing appearance in the patient’s smile, something that certainly cannot be achieved by mere recourse to one’s own experience and intuition.
REFERENCES
1. Rufenacht CR. Fundamentals of Esthetics. Chicago: Quintessence, 1990.
2. Chiche GJ, Pinault A. Esthetics of Anterior Fixed Prosthodontics. Chicago: Quintessence, 1994.
3. Goldstein RE. Principles of esthetics: Marketing. In: Goldstein RE (ed). Esthetics in Dentistry, ed 2. Vol 1: Principles, communications, treatment methods. Hamilton: Decker, 1998:54–56.
Mauro Fradeani, MD, DDS
Private Practice
Pesaro and Milano, Italy
Visiting Associate Professor
Department of Prosthodontics
Louisiana State University
School of Dentistry
New Orleans, Louisiana
Reviews
"...The scope of this volume is the rationalization of the esthetic parameters, facilitated by the accompanying esthetic checklist.
This is an outstanding teaching tool for students and clinicians, and a helpful reference for all practitioners who see the value in diagnosis and treatment planning for any esthetic consideration. The information presented improves not only the skill of the dentist, but will, no doubt, also improve communication between the dentist and the patient, as well as the esthetic outcome of the treatment..."
Reviewed by Leonard B. Goldstein, DDS, PhD
NYSDJ
December 2004
