Cosmetic oral and maxillofacial surgery

The dental specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery over the last fifteen years has been intimately involved in not only altering the bony facial skeleton, but also the esthetic defects of the facial soft tissue drape. These procedures are currently being taught, in many of our residency programs, along side the art and science of dentoalveolar surgery. When one combines the modification of both the skeletal and soft tissues, the resultant effect can be greater than the sum of its parts. Should one take this a step further and add to the list, proper arch form as prepared by the orthodontist along with cosmetic shape and appearance of the dentition by the restorative dentist using the latest in cosmetic dental techniques, what transforms is a result that has never been seen heretofore in the annals of dentofacial care. To follow are a number of case reports illustrating some salient points.