Orthodontics And Aesthetics: Where Is The Mystery? (Part I)

Aim: to define the modern concept of facial appearance and to correlate this with the evolving trends in facial aesthetics. Materials and methods: to identify the aesthetic trends and fashion from the past up until the present:  a review of orthodontic literature over the last twenty years was carried out;  an analysis of the effect of the “media”: cinema, tv and magazines on the concept of facial appearance. The data collected was related to results of the cephalometrics analysis most up-to-date and most widely used, whether orthodontic or surgical. Results:  The most universally accepted parameters of beauty, which tend to have a considerable influence on the expectations of patients, were extrapolated.  Guidelines were identified when planning the orthodontic treatment in order to achieve a pleasing a esthetic result: facial and dental proportions, facial symmetry, pattern of facial growth, shape/position and fullness of the lips, the relationship between the upper and lower lips, effects of extractive versus non extractive treatment, the effects of growth and changes in the soft tissue related to the growth, the patient's age. Conclusions: our study enabled us to identify modern concept of facial beauty and to evaluate which ones remain universally valid. Guidelines were identify which gave indications for planning orthodontic treatment which, across the mystery of beauty, guided us in obtaining maximum a esthetics in the face and smile.