Interdisciplinary management of anterior dental esthetics.
BACKGROUND
Dental esthetics has become a popular topic among all disciplines in dentistry. When a makeover is planned for the esthetic appearance of a patient's teeth, the clinician must have a logical diagnostic approach that results in the appropriate treatment plan. With some patients, the restorative dentist cannot accomplish the correction alone but may require the assistance of other dental disciplines.


METHODS
This article describes an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of anterior dental esthetics. The authors practice different disciplines in dentistry: restorative care, orthodontics and periodontics. However, for more than 20 years, this team has participated in an interdisciplinary dental study group that focuses on a wide variety of dental problems. One such area has been the analysis of anterior dental esthetic problems requiring interdisciplinary correction. This article will describe a unique approach to interdisciplinary dental diagnosis, beginning with esthetics but encompassing structure, function and biology to achieve an optimal result.


CONCLUSIONS
If a clinician uses an esthetically based approach to the diagnosis of anterior dental problems, then the outcome of the esthetic treatment plan will be enhanced without sacrificing the structural, functional and biological aspects of the patient's dentition.
Spear
Frank M
FM
Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Education, Seattle, Wash, USA.
Kokich
Vincent G
VG
Mathews
David P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009065:Mouth Rehabilitation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology