cosmetic dentistry_ beauty & science

_Success in aesthetic dentistry depends on biology, function and mechanics; aes- thetic dentistry cannot exist independently. cosmetic dentistry had the opportunity to speak with Dr Pascal Magne, a specialist in aes- thetic dentistry, lecturer, author of many clinical and research articles and the well-known book Bonded Porcelain Restorations, and associate professor at the University of Southern Califor- nia in Los Angeles, where he holds the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Chair in Esthetic Dentistry, about the latest trends in modern restorativedentistryatthe12th AnnualScientific Conference of the Polish Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and Art Oral, which was held in June 2013 in Sopot, Poland. _cosmetic dentistry: Dr Magne, you created an impressive training programme on aesthetic restorative dentistry and have become one of the most reputable lecturers on this topic. What is the philosophy underlying your success? Dr Pascal Magne:Ibelievethatsuccessneeds to be defined first. Success at work, success in life, personal success? Often, professional suc- cess has been obtained by sacrifice of a personal nature. Can it then still be considered success? I strongly believe in what I call “balanced suc- cess”, meaning that the most important values, such as spirituality and family, are preserved. I also believe in mentorship. My advice to young colleagues is to choose one mentor (or several), a kind of dental parent. I know it is not easy to find such a person but it is worth the search. I have been blessed in my careertohavethreementors,myclinicalmentor, Prof. Urs Belser (University of Geneva); my re- searchmentor,Prof.WilliamDouglas(University of Minnesota); and my dental technique mentor, my brother Michel (university of „life“). Of course, none of this would have been possible without my mentor above all, my Lord Jesus, and I pray to receive his inspiration every day. One of my favourite quotes is Proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” _What are current concepts in aesthetic restorative dentistry? In which direction is aes- thetic dentistry developing? Aesthetic dentistry in itself means nothing; it is contingent on biology, function and me- chanics. Aesthetic dentistry is the cherry on the cake for those who follow sound biomimetic concepts in restorative dentistry. Above all, as described by Rev. W. John Murray in his book The Realm of Reality, “the aesthetic is itself nothing more than a beautiful symbol of the spiritual, without which spiritual, the aesthetic is a shadow without substance”.1 I like to remind my patients that they can always have internal beauty, the beauty of the heart, which surpasses physical aesthetics. That said, if we look at your question from a more technical perspective, the answer lies in the biomimetic approach to restorative sciences, which in turn is dependent on adhesive dentistry 14 I I feature _ interview cosmeticdentistry 4_2013 Dr Pascal Magne “Aesthetic dentistry in itself means nothing” An interview with Dr Pascal Magne, USA