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Features Section |
Paolo Ronchi, Milan, Quintessence, 2005, 304 pp., Hardback, £158.00, ISBN 8874921012
This new book is written by a maxillofacial surgeon for the benefit of both orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons. The author’s main aim is to achieve clarity and simplicity, so the orthodontist can more easily understand the surgical problems and surgeons can become more familiar with orthodontic aspects of treatment. This book, like many books published by Quintessence, is beautifully illustrated and focuses on the philosophy of function and aesthetics in treating patients. The content is laid out in logical fashion with a straightforward style and, thus, easy to follow.
The first 4 chapters discuss the diagnosis, planning and treatment objectives of such cases. The author concentrates on describing an overview of the clinical characteristics of Class II, III and open bite cases, alongside his personal method of cephalometric, functional and aesthetic evaluation. All text is well illustrated with clinical photographs and schematic diagrams. Readers from the UK may find that the description of functional evaluation may not follow contemporary methods. An absence of a psychological evaluation was noted, which would have been considered a useful addition.
The following 6 chapters demonstrate different types of surgical procedures that the author recommends. In addition, there is a discussion on the soft tissue changes following surgery. The most useful chapter for the orthodontist describes the merits of different surgical techniques for the various malocclusions discussed. Some of the surgical procedures are depicted with different titles that may be confusing to the reader. The discussion on surgical planning and simulation is limited to hand-planning on sheets of acetates. Some readers may find this method of planning old-fashioned, especially in view of the many computer software packages that are now on the market. The author does, however, discuss the limitations of these packages. In addition, there is also section on model surgery and the construction of surgical splints.
Chapters on post-surgical orthodontic treatment, retention and complications of orthognathic treatment conclude the factual chapters. The author devotes the final chapter to the presentation of 33 beautifully illustrated cases of differing malocclusions with short case histories to describe different therapeutic solutions. In addition, a DVD accompanying the book illustrates a complete case with particular emphasis on the surgery.
In conclusion this book is a useful additional text for the treatment of dentofacial anomalies for higher trainees and consultants alike.
Amelia Smith
PDQ Endodontics
J. I. Ingle, BC Decker Inc, Hamilton ON, 2005, 298 pp., Paperback, $59.95, ISBN 1550092731
PDQ stands for ‘Pretty Darned Quick’ and this abridged version of Dr Ingle’s classic text Endodontics is intended ‘for quick reference in the discipline’. I am always very suspicious of ‘essentials’ type guides. Often, so much information is left out in the quest for brevity that the text becomes abstract and disjointed. However, whilst there is little basic science here, as a technical manual it is very good; much of the (essential) gadgetry of endodontics is displayed as well as all the major treatment modalities. The content is as up-to-date as is possible for any textbook and a North American bias is only noticeable in the sections on prescribing. Indeed, this volume is so impressive that it might well be worth looking at how they’ve dealt with other topics in the PDQ series, e.g. physiology, biochemistry, statistics, etc.
It is presented as a slim volume of 298 pages in ‘pocket-sized’ format and is very well illustrated with clinical photographs, illustrations and radiographs. A CD-ROM version is included that provides the complete text and illustrations in PDF format; this worked flawlessly on several PCs significantly enhancing the functionality of the product.
Jeremy Hayes
Writing for Academic Journals
Rowena Murray, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 2005, 223 pp., Softback, £18.99, ISBN 0335213928
This new book comes from an established author, who has already written about Thesis writing and Viva survival techniques. It contains 9 chapters divided into a number of sub-headed sections. A short bibliography appears at the end of the book. The chapters follow a logical sequence taking the reader through the stages of making the decision to write, deciding to which journal to submit, preparing the protocol, writing, re-writing, getting feedback (before submission) and how to cope with reviewers’ comments.
The book contains no startling insights for the seasoned writer, but for those just embarking on the path to academic writing it will be helpful. It pulls together many of the aspects that contribute to a successful manuscript. In particular, the skill of writing economically and elegantly, whilst remaining focused on the key message of the paper. The final chapter on ‘Responding to reviewers’ feedback’ is helpful for the recipient, but also contains lessons for those who sit in judgment, either as a reviewer or editor. Constructive commentary or criticism is always better received than a hostile review and examples are given of positive critique that still give the same message that a piece of work is unsatisfactory.
This book is inexpensive, well written and I am glad I have had the opportunity to read it. I would suggest that this book be a library purchase, rather than an essential book for every young academic or postgraduate student wanting to publish their dissertation.
Richard Oliver
Non-compliance Distalisation. A Monograph on the Clinical Management and Effectiveness of a Jig Assembly in Class II Malocclusion Orthodontic Treatment
M. A. Papadopoulos, Phytotypotiki Publications, Thessaloniki, 2005, ISBN 9606305902
Available at: http://www.orthodontics.net.gr/index_en.htm
This 104 page book is divided into 7 chapters devoted to the problem of non-compliance in orthodontic treatment, with a particular reference to the problem of distalization of molars in Class II malocclusions.
Chapter 1 looks specifically at the problem of non-compliance and the consequences of non-compliance. Non-compliance distalization appliances are not a new concept, and chapters 2 and 3 look in detail at the classification of the appliances and the different types available. Chapter 3, in particular, is very wordy and, although the descriptions of each appliance are very good and detailed, illustrations of the appliances discussed would have been very useful.
Chapter 4 is devoted to the sectional jig assembly for the distalization of molars. The description of the appliances is very clear and detailed and illustrated extremely well with 3 color plates. The details in this chapter are sufficient to enable construction of a jig assembly.
Chapter 5 is made up of 3 cases showing substantial distalization of the molars. Radiographs are also used to illustrate these cases and this helps to demonstrate the changes achieved during treatment. Chapter 6 is devoted to clinical efficacy and includes a cephalometric study carried out on cases treated with the distalization jig and a 3D study.
The final chapter entitled ‘Concluding remarks’ is refreshing in its honesty. It clearly outlines the advantages of this device, but it also highlights the limitations and contraindications for its use.
This book reads like a catalogue of non-compliance distalization devices, which would have benefited from additional illustrations. However, it does describe and detail the jig assembly to a level that would enable the fabrication of such a device.
Charlotte Eckhardt
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