Biography
Dr Nicolaou specialized at the Rabin Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Israel and received the title of oral and maxillofacial surgeon in 2000. She joined the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in Athens as a Postgraduate Fellow for 2 years after graduating ‘first class’ from the Dental School of Athens University in 1992, and receiving the Colgate Palmolive award. She has since been practicing in Limassol, Cyprus.
Her special interest is in orthognathic surgery and individuals with craniofacial syndromes and facial deformities. She cooperates with the Cyprus Center for Clefts and Facial Deformities (MEDICLEFT), a team of specialists monitoring and treating patients with similar problems. She has held a Vice Presidency position at the International College of Maxillo Facial Surgery (ICMFS) since November 2014 and is the founder and first president of the Cyprus Association of Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery. In 2015 she hosted the 29th World Congress of the ICMFS in Limassol with nearly 500 attendees from all around the world. She is a councillor for Cyprus at the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and an active member of the European Association of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. She has actively participated as a keynote speaker at several congresses worldwide with scientific presentations.
She is the author of a number of publications and is involved as a clinical tutor at the Medical School of the University of Nicosia in collaboration with the St. George’s University of London. Dr Nicolaou won the ‘Business Woman of the Year award 2018’ at the 12th Cyprus Business of the Year Award. She has recently launched a charitable foundation.
Abstract
Treating facial asymmetries: tips for optimal results
Structural and behavioural asymmetries are commonly 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 shape. Asymmetry is the disharmony affecting this plane or line. The definition, prevalence, aetiology and classification, diagnosis and assessment of the structures involved, as well as the treatment options will be explained. Three-dimensional (3D) virtual planning is the appropriate way to effectively manage facial asymmetries. The tips and details of what needs to be taken into consideration in order to correct facial asymmetries will be presented.
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 correct diagnosis following a thorough clinical and radiographic examination. Detailed 3D virtual planning and computer-guided surgery will be presented in detail. The impact of 3D virtual planning on the correction of facial asymmetries provides more precise, predictive results as well as the manufacturing of custom-made dental implants that can be used in complex cases. In fact, virtual surgery is critical to achieving treatment goals because it allows best planning, better transfer during surgery and objective evaluation of the pre- and post-operative results. Depending on the type of facial asymmetry and its extent, orthognathic surgery is required, combined with or without soft tissue correction. All of the cases included in this presentation, have adopted the same approach of computer guided technology. 3D virtual planning is the only safe way to treat complex facial asymmetries with overall efficiency and greater organizational impact in contrast with traditional surgical planning. The tips are shared with you for a desirable result.
Aims, Objectives & Learning Outcomes
Aims: To provide an overview of the management of facial asymmetries, with an emphasis on the use of 3D planning.
Objectives: To consider the most appropriate ways of managing facial asymmetries, encompassing the contemporary methods available to assist with this.
Learning outcomes: At the end of the presentation, delegates should be able to discuss the problems associated with the management of facial asymmetries and be able to appraise the methods currently available for managing patients who present with this common problem.
