Orthodontic-surgical treatment of dentofacial anomalies

  • P. Ronchi
UK: Quintessence £158, pp 304 ISBN 8874921012 | ISBN: 8-874-92101-2

This book is aimed at orthodontists and surgeons who are already involved in the combined treatment of facial deformity, or who are intending to become so. The principal author and all but one of the co-authors are listed as oral and maxillofacial surgeons. It is a translation from an existing Italian text, although the date of the original publication is not given.

It is divided into 14 chapters; all conclude with a bibliography except the last, which shows a varied selection of treated cases. The text is generally easy to follow, and well illustrated with photographs and diagrams. The subject matter is covered in a reasonably comprehensive and logical fashion, progressing from case assessment through presurgical orthodontics, surgical procedures and planning and then to post-operative treatment and complications. Some of the terminology used differs slightly from that familiar to UK readers, but not to the extent of hindering comprehension. There is also an accompanying DVD illustrating a bimaxillary surgical procedure, although some judicious editing and elimination of the unnecessary background music would improve this.

Does it succeed in its aims? As an orthodontist, I think it would be of more value to colleagues in that discipline seeking to enhance their knowledge of surgery rather than vice versa, but it is not quite as comprehensive as other publications covering the same field (eg Proffit, White and Sarver). There is little discussion on the psychological aspects of deformity, and some operative procedures that the authors now regard as obsolete are mentioned only in passing. Furthermore, in Chapter 1, a general guide to the clinical examination of facial deformity would have been preferable to launching straight into descriptions of the specific characteristics of individual malocclusion traits. There are also some controversial views expressed (eg re-education of tongue behaviour in open bite cases) with which many would disagree. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable read, and contains much useful information and relevant clinical tips, such as a reminder to first consider the likely impact of planned sagittal changes when assessing transverse arch relationships. It should find a place in library collections, but is perhaps not sufficiently original to make it a worthwhile purchase for the individual reader who has ready access to the alternative.