Lingual orthodontics

  • G. Scuzzo &
  • K. Takemoto
UK: Quintessence price £154.00; pp 264 ISBN 9781850971924 | ISBN: 978-1-8509-7192-4

Lingual orthodontic systems clearly offer an aesthetic advantage over standard labial ones although their implementation can put some orthodontists off using them. This new manual from Quintessence aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the principal authors' latest incarnation of their lingual orthodontic bracket system - the Scuzzo-Takemoto bracket (STb). The new STb system uses preformed, milled brackets and integrates several improvements from their previous bracket system. A number of the chapters are written by other authors and there are also several acknowledged contributors.

The book will appeal primarily to orthodontic specialists or dentists with a special interest in orthodontics, already looking to use the STb system. After a succinct introductory chapter it spends the next seven chapters covering the science supporting the STb system in detail, presenting evidence extolling the virtues of this system compared to other available bracket systems. Buried within this section are the arguments for using a light force system and how the features of STb brackets can be used to execute this. Chapter nine neatly compares the biomechanics of lingual and labial systems, dividing the discussion into the three planes (vertical, horizontal and sagittal).

After a detailed section on the laboratory procedures for the straight wire set-up, a large section of the book is dedicated to comprehensively covering extraction and non-extraction mechanics, in general, and using the STb brackets with traditional 'mushroom' shaped lingual wires. This is supplemented by chapters of detailed illustrative case presentations covering a wide range of applications from simple crowding cases, combining the system with mini-screw implants up to a straight forward pre-orthognathic surgery alignment.

Disappointingly, two short chapters only briefly cover the authors' new treatment methodologies using the new STb brackets for the 'Social 6' and Lingual Straight Wire Methods. I felt that this passing discussion deprived me of what had attracted me to the publication in the first place.

Understandably this book appeals to a narrow specialised readership. For those who are interested in the topic, this book is well constructed and easy to navigate, using appropriate and clear graphics and photographs to complement the text. The opening section has the feel of a sales brochure despite the fact that I believe most people purchasing this book will already have an interest in using the system. Overall I feel the book is an interesting and comprehensive text despite my disappointment with the closing chapters.