J. Manauta, A. Salat (eds). Quintessence price £165.00; pp 448 ISBN

9788874921737

This artistic and well laid out guide to composite stratification aims to show clinicians what can be achieved with today's composite materials when we understand the unique properties provided by each of the individual layers of the tooth. There are 13 easy-to-follow chapters each beginning with a commentary from a world expert in aesthetic dentistry relevant to its topic and ending with a concise summary of what has been learnt.

Manauta and Salat take the reader back to the basics of colour, fluorescence and the effects of light, which provides a better appreciation of the features we should aim to replicate in teeth. The striking differences between available composite materials are highlighted and the need to construct personalised shade guides is made clear.

The book uses beautiful colour photography throughout to demonstrate step-by-step guides to replicate the dentine, dentinoenamel junction and enamel layers in anterior and posterior teeth, as well as the more difficult to achieve pathological and physiological characteristics such as stains, white spots and cracks.

Other features such as the sometimes forgotten palatal surface of the tooth are explained in detail. It is interesting to see the aesthetic results that can be produced with pink or red composites for concealing soft tissue defects. Although what can be achieved with soft tissue composites on models looks very impressive, the book doesn't discuss for which clinical scenarios they are suitable. However, this is perhaps outwith the remit of the atlas.

All the composite demonstrations are on extracted teeth and although it would have been nice to see the results replicated in the mouth as well, it does still provide a clear illustration of what can be accomplished with good materials and practice.

For dentists at any stage of their career with an interest in aesthetic dentistry this book would be a useful reference to hone the skills needed to provide patients with excellent natural looking composite restorations or as the authors state in the final chapter; 'every dentist should practice aesthetic dentistry, because there are no patients asking for unaesthetic treatments'.