Managing Smile and Dental Arch Asymmetries

Symmetry has long been associated with facial beauty and attractiveness. When asymmetry exceeds acceptable limits, the facial appearance and smile can become unpleasant. Clinical examples will be used to discuss a variety of smile asymmetries, such as increased unilateral tooth display caused by uneven elevation of the upper lip at the commissures or a canted frontal occlusal plane, asymmetrical buccal corridors, dental midline deviations, axial inclination of teeth, arch asymmetry, size and shape of teeth, and uneven gingival heights. This will highlight the significance of determining smile symmetry before treatment and inform patients about esthetical variables and limitations.