Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: a Contemporary Approach
Edited by: 
- J. B. Summitt,
- J. William Robbins,
- R. S. Schwartz &
- J. dos Santos
This textbook is intended to blend traditional methods in operative dentistry with more contemporary approaches based on our greater understanding of basic biological processes and recent developments in dental materials and equipment.
There are two principal underlying themes. The first is to provide a firm scientific basis for the concepts described; the second is the commitment to conservative dentistry.
As was the intention of the first edition, the second describes techniques for the restoration of the health, function and aesthetics of individual teeth and the dentition as a whole. The second edition, however, is significantly more wide-ranging and in-depth than the first, with notable benefit to the entire text. Nearly 150 pages longer, many existing chapters have been updated and expanded. Five new chapters have been added including those related to aesthetic considerations, bleaching, root caries, fluoride-releasing materials and cast gold restorations. The revised chapter on caries management is a significant improvement and is a credit to its authors.
The 21 chapters each have their own contributor(s) and comprehensive reference section. The text itself is supported throughout with a comprehensive range of well presented illustrations, many of which are in black and white, although replacement of some of the original schematic figures in the first edition by colour in the second, significantly enhances the text. The colour clinical pictures are of impressive quality.
Other chapters include a thorough review of biologic considerations, treatment planning, pulpal considerations, nomenclature and instrumentation, adhesion, direct and indirect restorations and restoration of endodontically treated teeth, amongst others.
Each chapter follows a logical approach and would be easily understood by both undergraduate and postgraduate students and the experienced clinician. For example, the section on direct anterior restorations first considers aspects of dental materials, then goes on to outline features of the carious lesion before addressing the approach to preparation. All chapters referring to clinical procedures have significantly benefited from being restructured and from the inclusion of colour illustrations.
This textbook must be regarded as being an authoritative classic of its time and is a significant improvement on the first edition. It is a pleasure to read. In some respects, the individual chapters can be viewed as being discrete texts in their own right, yet are logically linked to create the complete volume. The basic principles are firmly established and used as a scientific foundation for the understanding and application of clinical techniques. Such an approach is the basis for life-long learning. Nevertheless, this is an up to date contemporary book, and many newer approaches and materials are covered. As a result, the experienced clinician would dip in, or the student could regard this as a basic text. In either way, this is an essential reference book and must be regarded as making a valuable contribution to the collection of every clinician practising operative dentistry.
In the preface, it is proposed that, were he alive today, Dr GV Black would be leading advances in new technology and innovations in dentistry and that his memory should be honoured not by reference to concepts of the past, but by incorporating scientific innovations into our practices and dental school curricula. I am sure that he would support my recommendation of this book to you.
A. Qualtrough [BR5002]
Disability and oral care
Edited by: 
- J. Nunn
It is important for all professionals to understand the issues relating to disability if they are to provide good care for people with disabilities. This book addresses such issues in a readable and informative way and all members of the dental team, whether experienced in working with people with disabilities or wishing to learn more, will feel more confident in their practice having read this book.
The early chapters discuss general issues and introduce the reader to the definitions of disability and the barriers faced by people with disabilities when trying to access oral health care. The legal and ethical problems of consent are considered and the reader is made aware that often difficulties which arise in care provision, relate to decision-making, communication, co-operation and consent rather than in the technicalities of the treatment.
The importance of diet and nutrition for people with impairments is stressed along with the need for dietary modification, which might predispose to an increased risk of dental caries, as the authors move into the clinical aspects of care provision. Information relating to prevention of oral disease in the form of advice both written and pictorial is helpful for carers and professionals alike.
Throughout the book there is emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary assessment and care and this is particularly stressed in relation to oral assessment and treatment planning. In addition to general advice on care planning and assessment there are comprehensive chapters giving details of specific impairments and their management by the caring team including behaviour management and the use of general anaesthetic and sedation.
The focus then changes to oral care provided in different settings and useful advice is given on developing community based programmes. Good hospital based services are an essential adjunct to primary care and the reader is given practical information on the development of such services. With the growing and increasingly dentate disabled population, and the increasing awareness of equal opportunities for people with disabilities, the demand for domiciliary services is likely to increase and the benefits and disadvantages of domiciliary care are identified.
The book concludes by taking the reader through the consequences of the policies in many countries to integrate people with disabilities more fully into the lives of their local communities. There can be few who would not consider this to be the correct approach; it does not come without difficulties and these have been experienced and managed in different ways across the world. The final chapter of the book provides guidelines which will help anyone establishing or developing services either in a small practice or for a large population.
One of the most interesting things about this book is that it has been written by authors of many nationalities who are leaders in the field of Special Care Dentistry in their own countries. Whilst there is some repetition, and some points which are pertinent to the country of the particular author, it is obvious that the principles and problems of care provision for people with disabilities are the same the world over. I would recommend this useful and informative book to anyone who is committed to improving the service and care they provide to people with disabilities.
S. Greening [BR 5016]
Implants in Clinical Dentistry
Edited by: 
- R.M. Palmer,
- B.J. Smith,
- L.C. Howe &
- P.J. Palmer
For those involved with implants in dentistry this is a very welcome addition to the literature and amply reflects the broad experience of the authors. Although the selection of systems to include in a text of this nature will always be a little controversial, the choice of four titanium implant systems (Astra Tech, Branemark/ Nobel Biocare, Frialit and ITI Straumann) does, as the authors maintain, cover the most important features of modern implant design. The complexity of components within any system can be confusing even for those with some experience in this area and so the task of leading the reader through four separate systems might be thought too overwhelming. This is in fact far from the case as the authors illustrate the similarities rather than the differences between the systems wherever possible; the differences being succinctly outlined within the first chapter. The authors link this with an introduction to the biological principles of osseointegration and an outline of contraindications to implant treatment. Whilst this would probably not be sufficient background for those coming to the subject for the first time it is an excellent resume of the state of the art to date.
The second part of the text covers aspects of planning beginning with general principles and then more specifically covers single tooth replacement, fixed bridgework and removable prostheses. This section makes excellent use of illustrations in the form of schematics, radiographs and clinical photographs to clarify the major points. The use of implant planning software with data generated from CT-scanning is also introduced. This format is repeated in the section covering surgical placement again using the anterior single tooth replacement as a demanding clinical example and then widening the discussion in the chapter on placement for fixed bridgework. Flap design for primary fixture placement and abutment connection are well critiqued and the sections on immediate and early replacement implants and grafting techniques are excellent.
The final section on prosthodontic procedures comprises nearly 40% of the book and is again excellently illustrated. The size of this section reflects the complexity that arises from the breadth of restorative problems that need to be tackled and the range of abutments that have been devised to deal with these situations. The authors again lead the reader through this maze with admirable clarity.
This book was a pleasure to read. The use of bullet points to outline key details and structure the text gives the book clear and crisp style which is apparent from the first few pages. It is perhaps not a text for the absolute newcomer to the field but offers a balanced insight to those who wish to explore this fascinating clinical area and is a welcome addition to my own shelves.
Dr J. M. Thomason [BR5022]
Handbook of Oral Disease: Diagnosis and Management
- C. Scully
This is a soft back version of the original 1999 edition. The preface remains unchanged, highlighting the importance of an holistic approach to patients in all clinical settings and issues surrounding patients' consent to treatment. The reader is also referred to several other publications by Professor Scully.
The list of contents, chapter pages, references and general layout remain the same. It helpfully begins with a chapter on presenting signs and symptoms, including an alphabetical list of oral problems. There follows chapters on non-odontogenic facial pain and psychogenic orofacial problems, including detailed descriptions of burning mouth syndrome and temporomandibular pain dysfunction. Subsequent chapters cover mucosal disorders, salivary disorders, gingival disorders and lip, palate and tongue complaints. Conditions covered range from the very common to the rare. Within these chapters there are numerous cross-references, since certain diseases affect multiple oral sites.
There is little obvious change in the text or photographs from the 1999 edition. The quality of the photographs in general is high. However not all lesions are illustrated, perhaps reflecting limitations of space. Photographs of more extreme presentations of common conditions and the rare diseases are very useful. Other than the soft cover, revisions include the recommended international non-proprietary name (rINN) dosulepin for dothiepin. There is inclusion of the brush biopsy technique and an associated reference in the chapter on diagnosis and treatment. Another of Professor Scully's references, Dermatology of the lips is now published, rather than 'in press'.
The book is aimed at 'all members of the dental team who need a ready office reference'. In terms of UK dental practice, this book would certainly be helpful in terms of formulating a differential diagnosis, but inevitably many of these conditions will be referred for specialist management with little or no prior investigation, rendering certain sections of the text less relevant in this context. This book is certainly useful for oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery units in terms of presenting features of less commonly seen lesions, and appropriate diagnostic and treatment regimes. Interestingly, in both the 1999 edition and this revision, the author appears to support the use of toluidine blue for potentially malignant mucosal lesions.
Overall, I think this is a very helpful book, but I would not see a need to buy the revised edition if already in possession of the 1999 edition.
G. Smith [BR5024]
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Reviews. Br Dent J 192, 416–417 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4801389
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4801389
