Orthodontic Treatment and Its Influence on Facial Aesthetics
A Comprehensive Review of Malocclusion, Treatment Modalities, and Patient Satisfaction
Keywords:
Orthodontics, Facial Aesthetics, Malocclusion, Patient Satisfaction, Orthognathic Surgery, Clear Aligners, Facial Balance, Facial Symmetry, Facial Harmony, Dental Discrepancies, Skeletal Discrepancies, Self-Perception, Social InteractionsAbstract
The growing importance of facial aesthetics in modern orthodontic practice has led to a renewed focus on the multifaceted impact of various treatment approaches on a patient's overall appearance and well-being. This comprehensive review aims to explore the complex relationship between orthodontic interventions and their profound influence on facial aesthetics. It examines different types of malocclusions, from skeletal discrepancies to dental misalignments, and evaluates the effectiveness of diverse treatment modalities, such as traditional braces, clear aligners, and orthognathic surgery, in improving facial balance, symmetry, and harmony.
The key findings of this review indicate that orthodontic treatments can significantly influence a patient's facial aesthetics, with outcomes that vary widely based on the specific type of malocclusion and the chosen treatment approach. While some interventions may successfully enhance facial symmetry, proportion, and overall aesthetic appeal, others may result in less desirable or even unintended aesthetic outcomes. This underscores the need for a holistic, patient-centered approach that incorporates both functional and aesthetic considerations into the overall treatment planning process.
Ultimately, this review emphasizes the paramount importance of prioritizing patient satisfaction and incorporating comprehensive aesthetic evaluations to ensure the best possible results. By addressing the complex interplay between malocclusion, treatment modalities, and their impact on facial aesthetics, clinicians can optimize the outcomes of orthodontic interventions and empower patients to achieve their desired facial harmony and self-confidence.
References
Afrashtehfar, I, K., Assery, K, M. and Bryant, R, S. (2020) "Patient Satisfaction in Medicine and
Dentistry," Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2020,p. 1-10. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6621848.
Alderman, A. and Chung, C, K. (2013) Measuring outcomes in aesthetic surgery.. Available at:
https://plasticsurgery.theclinics.com/retrieve/pii/S0094129812001526.
Baxi, S. et al. (2022) "Recent Advanced Diagnostic Aids in Orthodontics," Cureus, Inc..
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31921.
Bos, A., Hoogstraten, J. and Prahl‐Andersen, B. (2003) "Expectations of treatment and
satisfaction with dentofacial appearance in orthodontic patients," Elsevier BV, 123(2),p. 127-132.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1067/mod.2003.84.
Calamia, J. et al. (2011) "Smile Design and Treatment Planning With the Help of a
Comprehensive Esthetic Evaluation Form," Elsevier BV, 55(2),p. 187-209. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2011.01.012.
Calamia, R, J. and Wolff, S, M. (2015) The Components of Smile Design: New York University
Smile Evaluation Form Revisited. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011853215000257.
Chantrey, S, L, S. (2019) Understanding and treating different patient archetypes in aesthetic
medicine. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/jocd.13227.
Charrier, J. (2012) "Orthognathic surgery of adults and facial aesthetics," EDP Sciences, 15(3),p.
-302. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1051/odfen/2012202.
Chauca, B, F. (2018) "Developing patient-centered communication skills in orthodontics,"
Elsevier BV, 154(3),p. 320-320. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.06.003.
Cunningham, S. and Shute, J. (2009) "Orthognathic treatment: see how they feel?," SAGE
Publishing, 36(1),p. 61-66. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1179/14653120722923.
Davis, C, N. (2007) Smile design. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011853206001364.
Dong, N, Q. and Yates, J. (2019) "Patient related outcomes and improvements in quality of life
following orthognathic surgery," Wiley, 13(1),p. 67-86. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/ors.12448.
F, A, M., Cesar, B. and Oscar, L, R. (2017) "Surgical Orthodontic Treatment for a Skeletal Class
III Young Patient with Tongue Thrust Habit," OMICS Publishing Group, 02(01). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.21767/2576-392x.100007.
Ghorbanyjavadpour, F. and Rakhshan, V. (2019) "Factors associated with the beauty of
soft-tissue profile," Elsevier BV, 155(6),p. 832-843. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.07.020.
Goldstein, E, R. and Silva, P, B. (2018) "Facial Considerations in Esthetic Restorations," ,p.
-1128. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119272946.ch33.
Goldstein, E, R. et al. (no date) Proportional Smile Design. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119272946.ch9.
Harper, A. and Rowe, M. (2014) "Financial Health and Social Recovery," American Psychiatric
Association, 65(6),p. 707-707. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300526.
Hernández‐Alfaro, F. and Valls-Ontañón, A. (2022) "Aesthetic Considerations in Orthofacial
Surgery," Elsevier BV, 35(1),p. 1-10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coms.2022.06.002.
Hollander, Z. et al. (2022) "Nonsurgical maxillary orthopedic protraction treatment for an adult
patient with hyperdivergent facial morphology, Class III malocclusion, and bilateral crossbite,"
Elsevier BV, 162(2),p. 264-278. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2021.02.027.
Ibrahim, A. et al. (2018) "Managing aesthetic referrals in NHS Scotland: Outcomes from 1122
patients in the East of Scotland," Elsevier BV, 71(8),p. 1174-1180. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2018.04.016.
Imani, M, M. et al. (2018) "Esthetic preferences of orthodontists, oral surgeons, and laypersons
for Persian facial profiles," Elsevier BV, 154(3),p. 412-420. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2017.11.040.
Kilbas, A, A., Srivastava, M, H. and Trujillo, J, J. (2006) "Preface," Elsevier BV,p. vii-x.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-0208(06)80001-0.
Kiyak, A, H. (no date) Does orthodontic treatment affect patients' quality of life?. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2008.72.8.tb04564.x.
Kundal, S. (2020) "Aligners: The Science of Clear Orthodontics," , 7(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.30954/ijdms.1.2020.9.
Lazaridou-Terzoudi, T. et al. (2003) "Long-term assessment of psychologic outcomes of
orthognathic surgery," Elsevier BV, 61(5),p. 545-552. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1053/joms.2003.50107.
Lee, Y. (2014) A Novel Method for Proximal Segment Management: Correct Condyle Head
Repositioning and Better Proximal Segment Placement. Available at:
https://aaoms.confex.com/aaoms/am1409/webprogram/Paper5928.html.
Liew, S., Silberberg, M. and Chantrey, J. (2019) "Understanding and treating different patient
archetypes in aesthetic medicine," Wiley, 19(2),p. 296-302. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13227.
Litner, A, J. et al. (2008) "Impact of Cosmetic Facial Surgery on Satisfaction With Appearance
and Quality of Life," American Medical Association, 10(2),p. 79-83. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.10.2.79.
Malocclusions and Orthodontic Treatment in a Health Perspective: A Systematic Review (2023).
Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448008/.
Miguel, M, A, J., Palomares, B, N. and Feu, D. (2014) "Life-quality of orthognathic surgery
patients: The search for an integral diagnosis," Dental Press Editora, 19(1),p. 123-137. Available
at: https://doi.org/10.1590/2176-9451.19.1.123-137.sar.
Mohamed, V, W. and Perenack, D, J. (2014) "Aesthetic Adjuncts with Orthognathic Surgery,"
Elsevier BV, 26(4),p. 573-585. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coms.2014.08.010.
Moon, W. and Kim, J. (2015) "Psychological considerations in orthognathic surgery and
orthodontics," Elsevier BV, 22(1),p. 12-17. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sodo.2015.10.003.
Olivieri, P., Uribe, A, F. and Quereshy, A, F. (2020) Aesthetic Facial Surgery and Orthodontics:
Common Goals. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1042369919300779.
Pachêco‐Pereira, C., Brandelli, J. and Flores‐Mir, C. (2018) "Patient satisfaction and quality of
life changes after Invisalign treatment," Elsevier BV, 153(6),p. 834-841. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2017.10.023.
Patel, D., Mehta, F. and Mehta, N. (2014) "Aesthetic Orthodontics : An Overview," Orthodontic
and Dentofacial Orthopedic Association of Nepal, 4(2),p. 38-43. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3126/ojn.v4i2.13897.
Posnick, C, J., Mandelaris, A, G. and Tremont, J, T. (2020) "Orthodontic Trends in the Treatment
of Dentofacial Deformities," Elsevier BV, 79(3),p. 518-519. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2020.10.023.
Prasad, N, K. et al. (2018) "Comparison of the influence of dental and facial aesthetics in
determining overall attractiveness," Elsevier BV, 16(4),p. 684-697. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2018.09.013.
Reyneke, P, J. and Ferretti, C. (2012) "Clinical Assessment of the Face," Elsevier BV, 18(3),p.
-186. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sodo.2012.04.002.
Rhee, S, J. and McMullin, T, B. (2008) "Measuring outcomes in facial plastic surgery: a decade
of progress," Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 16(4),p. 387-393. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1097/moo.0b013e3283031ac9.
Rouzi, M. et al. (2023) "Impact of Clear Aligners on Oral Health and Oral Microbiome During
Orthodontic Treatment," Elsevier BV, 73(5),p. 603-611. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2023.03.012.
Ruiz, J. (2017) "Esthetic Co‐Diagnosis Using the Dentofacial Esthetic Diagnosis System," ,p.
-162. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118976449.ch8.
Saini, R. et al. (2022) "Analysis of Smile Aesthetic Changes With Fixed Orthodontic Treatment,"
Cureus, Inc.. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32612.
Shan, B. et al. (2021) "Quantitating the art and science of esthetic clinical success," Elsevier BV,
(2),p. 49-58. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2021.03.004.
Sharma, G., Shorafa, M. and Hans, G. (2020) "Management of progressive facial asymmetry
owing to a rare temporomandibular joint tumour: A case report," SAGE Publishing, 47(2),p.
-169. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1465312520908272.
Shenaq, D. and Matros, E. (2018) "Virtual planning and navigational technology in
reconstructive surgery," Wiley, 118(5),p. 845-852. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.25255.
Shi, Y. et al. (2023) "Preparation of Nanocomposites for Antibacterial Orthodontic Invisible
Appliance Based on Piezoelectric Catalysis," Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute,
(11),p. 5336-5336. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23115336.
Spirito, D, F. et al. (2023) "Impact of Clear Aligners versus Fixed Appliances on Periodontal
Status of Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review of Systematic
Reviews," Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 11(9),p. 1340-1340. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091340.
Thai, K, J. et al. (2020) "Esthetic perception of clear aligner therapy attachments using
eye-tracking technology," Elsevier BV, 158(3),p. 400-409. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2019.09.014.
Thiesen, G., Gribel, F, B. and Freitas, M, P, M. (2015) "Facial asymmetry: a current review,"
Dental Press Editora, 20(6),p. 110-125. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.20.6.110-125.sar.
Thomas, P, J. (2018) "Achieving Ideal Facial Appearance," Thieme Medical Publishers
(Germany), 34(05),p. 431-432. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1668573.
Weitzer, D. and Fried, G, R. (2021) "Aesthetic Interventions and the Perception of the Self," ,p.
-114. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119680116.ch9.
Zou, J. et al. (2018) "Common dental diseases in children and malocclusion," Springer Nature,
(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-018-0012-3.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Hashim Al-Hashimi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
