Dr. Abanob Sarkis:  Resident, Seton Hill University Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Dr. Daniel Rinchuse:  Professor and Program Director, Seton Hill University Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Dr. Thomas Zullo:  Adjunct Professor, Seton Hill University Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.   

PROJECT TITLE:  Influence of implant-restored maxillary lateral incisor crown lengths on smile esthetics amongst orthodontists and laypersons.   

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this study is to determine the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons, with respect to different lengths of implant-restored maxillary lateral incisor crowns. With aging, natural teeth adjacent to implants continue to physiologically erupt, leaving the implant in infra-occlusion due to ankylosis of the endosteal implant body. Resultantly, implant crowns need to be replaced as the function and esthetics become inadequate. Keeping in mind that ideal proportions and incisal relationships are subjective, the end goal is to help the clinician determine if and when orthodontists and laypersons perceive an undesirable discrepancy in the incisal edge of an infra-occluded implant crown and/or disproportionate crown lengths. If these changes in occlusion and crown proportions are found to matter to the patient, a discussion between the general dentist and orthodontist can help determine a decision for canine substitution versus implant placement.  


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