Abstract
Since most areas of dentistry deal increasingly with aesthetics, we conducted this study to evaluate the influence of perioral wrinkles on patients’ subjective assessment for their “beautiful smile” appearance before and after laser resurfacing. Thirty patients were included in the study. All selected patients had previously done reconstructive dental therapy. Prior to wrinkles resurfacing the following aesthetic analyses were performed:dentofacial aesthetic analysis beautiful smile and facial analysis for skin resurfacing using Fitzpatrick alternative classification system for degree of perioral wrinkles.The resurfacing was performed using Life Touch Er:Yag pulsed laser with Life Touch Aesthetic Peri-Oral Handpiece. The energy utilized in all patients ranged from 50 mJ at 10 pulses/sec. The analysis of patients’ degree of perioral wrinkles was performed as objective parameters which will influence the resurfacing outcome. The survey addressed patients’ satisfaction with regard to existing patient’s smile-“beautiful smile” in correlation with the presence of perioral wrinkles. The obtained data showed significant differences in individual assessment likeability versus that of the physician/examiner for appearance of the upper lip, incisal edge to lower lip and midline-relationship of central incisors to philtrum (p < 0.05). Individual likeability of upper lip appearance after resurfacing in correlation with the degree of perioral vary significantly depending on the degree of perioral wrinkles (Kruskal-Wallis H = 15.36, p = 0.005). Assessment concerning the personal likeability of the smile before and after treatment was tested with Wilcoxon Matched pairs test. The obtained results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Keywords: beautiful smile, dental aesthetic, Er:YAG resurfacing, full mouth reconstruction