Facial Asymmetries: "Details that are not Details"

Objectives: Structural and behavioral asymmetries have been observed in humans and other animals. According to Fisher (1954), symmetry is the orientation with the opposite site of a plane or a line referring to the size and the shape. Asymmetry is the disharmony to this plane or line. The definition, prevalence, etiology and classification, diagnosis and assessment of structures involved, as well as the treatment options will be explained. Is the 3D virtual planning the appropriate way to treat facial asymmetries effectively and what are the details that we need to take into consideration in order to correct Facial Asymmetries?

Methods: Several cases of severe facial asymmetries will be presented from diagnosis to treatment planning and combined therapies. Treatment planning of these asymmetries is based on proper diagnosis following a thorough clinical and radiographic examination. Detailed 3D virtual planning and computer-guided surgery will be presented in detail.

Results: The facial asymmetries are 5% found on the upper face, 36% on the middle face and 74% on the lower face. The impact of 3D Virtual planning to the correction of facial asymmetries, provides precise, more secure and predictive results to complex cases. In fact, virtual surgery is critical to achieving treatment goals because it allows best planning, better transfer in the surgery room and objective evaluation of the pre-operative and post-operative results.

Conclusion: Depending on the kind of facial asymmetry and its extend, Orthognathic Surgery is required, combined with or without soft tissue correction. All of the cases included in this presentation, have adapted the same approach of computer guided technology. The 3D Virtual planning is the only way to treat complex facial asymmetries with safety, overall efficiency and with a great organizational impact in contrast to the Traditional Surgery planning.