Esthetic aspects of orthodontic-surgical treatment of sagittal-vertical anomalies: the example of the short face syndrome.

Abstract

Psycho-esthetic aspects play an important role in motivating patients to undergo combined orthodontic-surgical treatment as well as in the subjective appraisal of treatment outcome. The facial soft tissues are the crucial interlink between the underlying skeletal and dental structures and their perception by the patient and his social environment. TREATMENT OF SHORT FACE SYNDROME: In the therapy of Class II malocclusions with skeletal deep bite and short lower face (short face syndrome), the soft tissues and the psycho-esthetic treatment expectations of the patient are taken systematically and appropriately into account during treatment planning and evaluation. The respective elements of the treatment concept are outlined and explained in this article. Based on the empirical evaluation of 15 patients treated according to this concept, the soft tissue changes in patients with short face syndrome and the changes in esthetic and psychosocial self-perception are reported. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the treatment concept in improving facial soft tissues, especially in the vertical dimension, and the resulting psycho-esthetic benefit to the patient.