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Volume 38 , Issue 0
Supplement 2018
Page s7

Editorial: Esthetic Results for Patients’ Benefit

Marc L. Nevins, DMD, MMSc

The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry is excited to provide this “Esthetics Supplement” with the September/October issue. Today the focus of clinician and patient is on dentistry that mimics natural beauty and esthetics—and that can withstand the test of time, providing patients the security of longevity for their restored smile. Whether restoring natural teeth or dental implants, the treating dentist must make countless decisions when determining the sequenced treatment. From material science to surgical innovation, there is a logarithmic increase in our options for providing esthetic dental care. How do you decide the exact approach to tooth preparation, impression-making (digital or analog), material selection, laboratory process between digital and analog, cement or bonding of restorations, and occlusal design?

Implant dentistry continues to advance our ability to replace teeth, including teeth in the esthetic zone, in an inconspicuous way. Unfortunately, however, we see many patients presenting with less than adequate or severely compromised esthetic results that are very difficult to correct. They may require multiple surgical procedures and replacement of the restoration, or at times removal of the implant. Iatrogenic damage resulting from poor implant placement, recession, bone loss, or a combination of these may require not only removal of the implant but also of adjacent teeth. This can become a complex, extended, and expensive treatment process for the patient.

By respecting biology and understanding biomaterial behavior, wound healing, and materials science, clinical results can be optimized. In this issue we present thought-provoking articles on several topics related to esthetic dentistry and anterior dental implants. Alveolar ridge preservation and immediate dental implant placement with or without provisionalization are routine procedures pertinent to anterior dental implants. The multitude of options for these procedures can be challenging for clinicians to determine the best approach and biomaterial selection as well as timing of procedures. Articles are included that evaluate the various preservation techniques and short- versus long-term stability. How is the volume of tissue preserved with or without placement of a provisional implant-supported crown at the time of immediate placement? Is there a difference in surgical and prosthetic/esthetic outcomes using computer-assisted versus conventional implant planning and placement? These are some of the topics addressed in this supplement.

Facial esthetics is integral to dental esthetics. An article addressing lip repositioning is included, with technical details to address specific treatment goals. Gingival esthetics dealing with pigmentation is presented in a 25-year follow-up report, and color is addressed in two articles.

We hope this supplement invites you to question your decision-making and stimulate further research on the topics presented.

Marc L. Nevins, DMD, MMSc

Editor-in-Chief

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