Esthetic dentistry using evaluation of soft tissue

Abstract

Orthodontic diagnosis is chiefly based on evaluation of the hard tissue. However, considering esthetic harmony between the external of the face—which is soft tissue—and oral appearance, evaluation of soft tissue cannot be belittled. Discussed in the present paper is a case of a female patient with a chief complaint of mandibular protrusion. The patient was diagnosed with skeletal mandibular protrusion accompanied by excursion of the mandible; in the diagnosis and treatment evaluation is employed the sub nasal vertical (SNV) line, which indicated the need of sliding the chin back by osteoplasty in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. The SNV line was instrumental in esthetic evaluation, diagnosis and clarifying treatment planning.