Treatment Planning to the Mid-Face and Upper Lip: The Upper Incisor is the Key to Optimal Facial Aging and Smile Preservation!
This lecture will discuss the importance of treatment planning our cases around the upper incisor for the best mid-face, upper lip support and smile preservations as patients age. Plastic and Maxillofacial surgeons both agree that the dental substructure plays an extremely important role in facial aging. A narrow upper arch (small arch form) and retruded upper incisor position isn't enough to combat the facial aging process, leaving patients with poor upper lip and mid-face support during the critical aging process. Many of these patients look to costly and invasive face lifts and other procedures to keep them looking young. A well-planned case that involves treatment planning to the upper incisor and well developed arch form and functional occlusion will be optimal for graceful facial aging and smile preservation.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize that the artistry of the smile goes beyond just straight teeth and a good occlusion. It incorporates the face and more particularly the mid-face and upper lip. Also, the upper incisor is key to creating an artistically beautiful, finished smile.
- Implement five key strategies to creating beautiful artistic smiles.
- Recognize treatment modalities that will assist you in accomplishing a forward upper incisor position and broader dental substructure (arch form) to help your patients have the most esthetically beautiful face and smile and age more gracefully!
