In Search of the Harmonious Face: Apollo Revisited, with an Examination of the Indications for Retrograde Maxillary Displacement

A historical review of our perception of facial flatness and convexity and what constitutes “a pleasing face,” both in North America and internationally, is provided. Attractive faces may range from slightly flat(“Apollonian”) to mildly bimaxillary protrusive, but marked deviations in either direction, from the dish face to extreme bimaxillary protrusion, constitute a deformation and warrant combined orthodontic and surgical treatment. Technical aspects of segmental and total maxillary setback are presented, along with four representative cases.