| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Book review |
G. Bergenholtz, P. Hørsted-Bindslev and C. Reit (Eds), Blackwell Munksgaard, Oxford, 2003, 352 pp., £69.50 hb, ISBN 8716121856
This is a new text on a subject that is extensively covered in the literature. In the Preface to this 1st edition, the Editors state that the work is ‘intended to serve the educational needs of dental students, as well as of dental practitioners seeking updates on endodontic theories and techniques’. They have enlisted the help of a further 18 contributors to achieve their primary aim of providing an ‘understanding of the biological processes involved in pulpal and periapical pathologies and how that knowledge impinges on clinical management, and to present that information in an easily accessible form’.
There are 20 chapters grouped into 5 parts that cover ‘Foundations of Endodontology’, ‘The Vital Pulp’, ‘The Necrotic Pulp’, ‘The Root Filled Tooth’ and ‘Clinical Methodologies’. Each chapter has its own bibliography and some of the references are briefly annotated; the subject index is comprehensive. The book is extremely well illustrated throughout its 300+ pages with full color pictures and diagrams, as well as the usual radiographic images. An interesting and helpful feature is the use of color-coded ‘information boxes’, separating specific ‘core concepts’ from ‘advanced concepts’, ‘clinical procedures’ and discussions of ‘key literature’.
The major strength of this work may be its grounding on basic principles and evidence-based practice. The chapters on clinical technique (that usually date very quickly) correctly emphasize the role of asepsis/control of infection, yet still provide significant amounts of information on recent advances in materials and equipment. Philosophical issues relating to the prescription of different treatment modalities (e.g. intervention versus wait-and-see) and ‘cost/benefit’ for patients are covered very well.
In summary, this is an excellent textbook and could easily become the standard text on the subject for undergraduates in Europe, especially if it was available in a softback version.
Jeremy Hayes
Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, 4th edn
J. Lindhe, T. Karring and N. P. Lang (Eds), Blackwell Munksgaard, Oxford, 2003, 1072 pp., £99 hb, ISBN 1405102365
This is the latest edition of what has become the major periodontal text for under-graduates, practitioners and specialists. I remember a number of years ago, whilst studying for postgraduate examinations, finding an earlier edition of this textbook. I found it clearly written, well illustrated and with text that was authoritative by being scientifically based. I am delighted to see that this winning formula has been maintained.
The book is split into three concepts — Basic Concepts, Clinical Concepts and Implant Concepts, and 53 contributors have been used. This can often lead to a disjointed text, but the Editors must be congratulated on providing up-to-date knowledge from experts in their field in a focused manner without significant overlap. The basic concepts discuss anatomy, epidemiology and etiology of periodontal disease. In addition, the influence of modifying factors (e.g. smoking, diabetes and hormonal changes), endodontics, genetics and occlusal trauma are discussed. This provides the knowledge base from which clinical treatment can be undertaken.
The clinical concepts include the examination, diagnosis and treatment planning processes followed by the treatment options. These include surgical and non-surgical treatment options, and the role of antibiotic therapy. Implant concepts are expanded from the 3rd edition, and have replaced the crown and bridgework sections in my 2nd edition. The 220 page section gives a thorough overview of current knowledge in Implant Dentistry, using excellent line diagrams and photographs.
The orthodontic specialist should not dismiss this textbook. Chapters on occlusal trauma (chapter 15), occlusal therapy (chapter 20) and orthodontics for patients with periodontal tissue breakdown (chapter 31) will be of benefit. Also in the implant concepts section chapter 43 deals with implants used for orthodontic anchorage.
This authoritative book is aimed at trainee and Specialists in Restorative Dentistry (and its monospecialties) and will be their main periodontal textbook. It also has immense value as a reference text for undergraduates and general dental practitioners. The scope of this book also means that it will benefit those in other specialties.
Alan Gilmour
Masters of Functional Orthodontics
Aurelio Levrini and Lorenzo Favero (Eds), Quintessence, New Maldon, 2003, 416 pp., £136 hb, ISBN 1-85097-076-9
This is a large book that provides an interesting insight into the development of functional appliances. The authors have carried out a large amount of detailed research into the history of all types of functional appliance, and provide information on the pioneering work of Andresen, Bimler, Franckel, Balters, Klammt, Stockfish, Muzj and Hoffer. I found many parts of this book fascinating as it is important that we have an understanding of the development of our specialty. However, in the era of evidence-based dentistry and orthodontics, it was very disappointing that many of the concepts of what the authors termed ‘orthognathodontics’ are outmoded and not supported by any scientific evidence whatever. For this reason, I feel that this book is only of historical interest and is rather expensive.
K. O’Brien
Orthodontic Management of Agenesis and other Complexities
M. Arvystas, Martin Dunitz, London, 2003, 227 pp., £75.00 hb, ISBN 1 84184 181 1
This 227 page book contains a series of well-illustrated case reports demonstrating the multidisciplinary management of congenitally absent teeth in children and the management of dental and skeletal problems in adults.
Chapter headings include: An Introduction to the Concept of Aesthetics, Agenesis of Lateral Incisors, Agenesis of Premolars, Adult Interdisciplinary Treatment, Aesthetic Considerations of the Long Face Syndrome and Complex Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment.
The illustrated cases are well treated and documented, and the introductory sections are well referenced. The sections relating to the management of congenitally absent teeth demonstrate the periodontal and prosthetic requirements of achieving optimal dentofacial aesthetics. Restorations are, largely, resin retained, although abutment preparations are much more aggressive than you might expect to see in contemporary practice and fixed-fixed designs are routinely employed.
The orthodontic and restorative management of two adult patients is described in chapter 4, involving conventional fixed appliance therapy and adhesive labial segment restorations. The orthognathic management of 4 patients with increased lower face heights is described in the next chapter and a range of dentoalveolar and skeletal problems are illustrated in the last.
This book is more of a catalogue of well documented and well treated cases, rather than a definitive text on the management of hypodontia or skeletal discrepancy. It does, however, contain several interesting ideas, focusing on the delivery of high quality aesthetic results.
Jeremy Knox
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
