Bone grafting in oral implantology: Techniques and clinical applications

  • F. Hernández Alfaro
UK: Quintessence price $96.00, pp 234 ISBN 185097103X | ISBN: 1-850-97103-X

As the scientific basis for provision of implant retained restorations continues to expand, we rely on practical advice of experienced clinicians to push the envelope of knowledge ever further. The author of this textbook advises that the stimulus for the text came from the desire of his postgraduate students to have a comprehensive manual for their daily practice. This book achieves that task in a very elegant manner. There are 11 chapters in the book, commencing with chapters on bone biology and general principles of bone grafting.

The first chapter begins, logically, with a paragraph titled 'Why bone grafts?' This sets the scene for a series of extensively illustrated chapters on bone grafting techniques. Some practical advice is given regarding choice of surgical instrumentation in Chapter 2, but this is not particularly detailed. The remaining nine chapters are divided into surgical procedures according to donor sites. Each of these chapters contains details of clinical applications, harvesting procedures and potential complications depending on the donor site.

Liberal use is made of high quality clinical photographs to illustrate clinical procedures and the text has the feel of a clinical atlas with its minimal reliance on text. Clinical images are supplemented throughout by schematic diagrams. In addition to describing the bone harvesting procedures, appropriate management of soft tissues is given due attention. This includes the need to use relieving incisions and split thickness pedicled flaps, as illustrated in Chapter 3. As the bulk of the material concerns large bony defects, few of the cases include the use of alloplastic bone graft materials. However, some of the cases describe the use of PRP and cancellous bone mixed with alloplastic materials.

In terms of bibliography, some of the chapters have a more detailed list of references than others, but this reflects the paucity of clinical research of some procedures. This text would have been enhanced by a dedicated chapter on treatment planning, inclusive of the necessity for the desired cosmetic result to drive the surgical process. Furthermore, it would have been nice to see more of the cases treated to completion.

However, these are only minor points which should not detract from the overall high quality of this textbook. It is a book written by a clinician for clinicians, and can be recommended to anyone with an interest in oral implantology and postgraduate trainees in surgery and prosthodontics.