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Book Review |
Frans van der Linden, Quintessence, London 2004, 304 pp., hb £110, ISBN 1850970947.
At first glance, the book looks quite impressive. It consists of 288 pages; 18 chapters on a variation of subjects. Its purpose is to provide strategic ways of managing commonly encountered situations within the world of orthodontics, and to attempt to do this with what the author feels is clinically relevant information. Schematic diagrams and a vast selection of illustrations exist to show how the various appliances (alone or in combination) should be used, and what one would expect to achieve with them.
The author suggests that the contents are well suited for providing information to patients, but the overall complexity of treatment mechanics discussed in this book makes it more suitable for those who already possess a little background knowledge of the subject.
The book opens with a brief overview of the development/emergence of the labial segment and describes a case where early treatment had hindered the correct developmental pathway, how arch length was lost, and how the problems were overcome.
The second chapter describes the use of several interceptive measures. This is an interesting, if not controversial, discussion.
The chapter on removable appliances is fairly straightforward. Basic concepts of the appliances are discussed, with a few clinical cases to show their use in a non-classical way.
A comprehensive guide to headgear is given, as well as its use in combination with other appliances, but the discussion on the safety aspect of headgear use is somewhat limited.
Although treatment of different cases is discussed throughout the book, chapters specifically dedicated to treatment concepts are limited to impacted canines, Class II division 2 malocclusions, open bites and missing incisors. Throughout the book there is limited discussion on Class III cases.
The text is written in a continuous fashion, and may have been an easier to follow had it been divided by sub-headings. The illustrations to accompany the text throughout the book are excellent quality, but the mechanics/systems shown are rather dated in many instances, and more suitable for those who wish to explore the ‘old school’ mechanics.
I feel the book is of limited value (besides historical) to those who mainly follow ‘modern day’ orthodontics.
Angharad Brown
Risk Management in Orthodontics: experts’ guide to malpractice.
Eds: T M Graber, T Eliades, A E Athanasiou. Quintessence, 2004, 238 pp., hb £78, ISBN 0-86715-431-4.
If anyone ever needs convincing of the need for an understanding of basic science to support their clinical practice this book will provide ample evidence for them. In a well illustrated and presented book the authors cover a range of risk factors that include enamel colour alteration, release of wear and corrosion products and polymers alongside the more familiar caries, periodontal and root resorption risks. Those who are looking for ‘the answer’ to the link between orthodontics and TMJ dysfunction will be disappointed by the statement ‘... A clear and complete understanding of all facets of TMD is currently lacking...’ early in the chapter. The book also promises to provide a critical appraisal of studies in the various areas. In reality what we get is a resume rather than a critique, however as the contributors to the chapters were responsible for much of the evidence we do have, this is not surprising.
The final section of the book is on Malpractice and Risk Management, and some of the advice relates to American law. Nevertheless much of this part of the book is relevant to orthodontic practice anywhere in the world. As such this book is a valuable reference which should be required reading for all postgraduate students, and £78 is a small price to pay to avoid the stressful consequences of a malpractice claim.
Richard Oliver
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