Nadia Chugal and Louis M. Lin. Springer 2017 price £108 pp. 243 ISBN

9783319424101

This is the first edition of a unique endodontic textbook focusing on the key prognostic factors related to all stages of therapy. The editors, Nadia Chugal and Louis M. Lin, Professors at UCLA School of Dentistry and NYU College of Dentistry, respectively, lend their expertise to this clinical guide aimed at practitioners wishing to improve their clinical endodontic outcomes.

Each chapter is written by different authors including highly respected clinicians and scientists, all experts in their respective fields. Numerous clinical photos, diagrams, radiographs and cone beam CT images help to demonstrate important points within the topics discussed and the use of abstracts, subtitled sections and conclusions to structure each chapter makes the book easy to read both as a whole and when 'dipping in' to topics of interest. The book is heavily evidence-based and fully referenced with the list of every publication clearly displayed at the end of each chapter.

The first chapter introduces the multifactorial nature of endodontic outcome, giving a general overview of important pre-, peri- and post-operative prognostic factors. The following ten chapters discuss, in more detail, the key considerations in endodontic therapy, from the microbiology of apical infections through diagnosis, access, instrumentation, obturation and restoration, focusing on the relevant factors that influence prognosis and how to optimise outcome.

The target audience of this book is not specified but I believe the clear and concise chapters discussing diagnosis, anatomy, access, instrumentation and disinfection would make a useful read for clinicians at all levels. However, the chapters on regenerative techniques, the use of cone beam CT imaging throughout and discussion of emerging concepts such as the effect of genetic variability on endodontic outcome, mean it would also be of interest to more experienced practitioners with an interest in endodontics. The book's comprehensive list of references would also make it a valuable resource for any readers preparing for specialist examinations.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive review of prognostic factors associated with each aspect of endodontic therapy. Although it covers topics of interest to all clinicians, the depth of some of the subject matters lends itself more to experienced practitioners, particularly those with a special interest in endodontics.