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Optimal Dentofacial Esthetics

Simple Techniques

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t is an honor to edit this special edition involving the elements

of the smile. I was fortunate to collaborate with great clini-

cians who contributed manuscripts and were able to share their

wealth of knowledge in the different disciplines of dentistry.

A smile is made up of elements like lips, dentition, and gingivae.

When all elements are joined in the appropriate proportions, they act

in synergy to create a beautiful smile. In order to successfully treat

complex cases we need to understand the principles of esthetics such

as symmetry, dominance, composition, and repeated ratios. These have

been used for thousands of years by architects, mathematicians, and

artists. We, dentists, need to work under all of the latter capacities to

provide our patients with the pleasing esthetic outcome they desire.

An interdisciplinary comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treat-

ment planning, and the active phase of treatment is essential and

is demonstrated in this issue’s articles. I hope you will find this edi-

tion informative and useful in your practice, and that it will help

you achieve esthetic and predictable results for your patients.

guest editor

ziv simon, dmd, msc, is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontol-ogy and a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists in Canada. He lectures and publishes on tissue reconstruction, implant dentistry, and esthetic periodontal surgery. He also maintains a private practice limited to perio-dontics and reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills, Calif.

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