Diagnosis and management of facial asymmetries

Facial esthetics evaluation is the most important part of the orthodontic treatment-planning procedure. The attainment of the best facial esthetic appearance for a given patient is a primary goal of orthodontic treatment. The evaluation of a patient's frontal symmetry is the most critical aspect of diagnosis because this is most appreciated view for any individual. Even the most esthetic faces are associated with mild forms of facial asymmetry. The individuals who report for an orthodontic treatment are often associated with facial asymmetry that may be greater than the acceptable norms. Such asymmetries may have a skeletal or dental etiology. The diagnosis, treatment planning, and the mechanics for the asymmetric patient require the identification of the cause of the asymmetry . A careful differential diagnosis together with a thorough treatment plan can ensure successful treatment outcomes in the management of such cases.