Dermal fillers in odontoiatric practice in Italy: Clinical and medico-legal issues

OBJECTIVES: Italian dentists have recently taken up the use of dermal fillers for cosmetic procedures. This practice unleashes discussions on the legal aspects of this procedure concerning the materials used, the scope of the interventions performed by the dentists, the management and the liability in case of harmful side effects. The article aims at clarifying every aspect about the use of dermal fillers in dental practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search focused on evidences regarding technical aspects of these devices and their effects on humans, was obtained between January 2001 and December 2017. The Italian Supreme Courts judgments and the european and Italian laws regarding this matter were also collected and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Dermal fillers present some side effects and thus might expose the dentist to professional risks. In this case, the liability of the dentist is the same of the medical doctor acting in the field of aesthetic medicine. For this reason is very important to pursue every step to gain patient's consent. The informed consent regarding the use of dermal fillers is widely described.