Introducing Dental Implants

  • J. A. Hobkirk,
  • R. M. Watson &
  • L. J. J. Searson
London: Churchill Livingstone, 2003 price £34.99, pp165 ISBN 0443071853 | ISBN: 0-443-07185-3

This is a book with a strong pedigree and is based on the previously successful book also written by the authors “A Colour Atlas and Text of Dental and Maxillo-Facial Implantology”. The introduction by the authors states quite clearly that this is seen as an introductory book for undergraduate students in their final year, dentists taking postgraduate courses and professions complementary to dentistry. This is how the authors wish the book to be read and judged and this reviewer will evaluate it with these objectives in mind.

First impressions reveal a high quality production. The publishers have made a soft backed book which is light and easy to flick through. The pictures are great and each one beautifully reproduced. My first impressions were very favourable and I looked forward to reading the book. The book covers general treatment decisions, treatment planning, implant surgery, the edentulous and partially dentate patient, single tooth implants, other applications and problems. At the end of the book there are some self assessment questions which encourage the reader to revisit the material. Although there is an abundance of good pictures, the text is disrupted with too many headings and this may discourage the casual reader from using the book. Many of the headings were rhetorical in nature and this style was somewhat difficult to follow. There were many answers to the questions raised and it is my opinion that novices require more guidance otherwise they will become lost in the overflow of material.

The information in this book can not be faulted and the pictures are of very good quality. There is a great deal of worthwhile material but the audience it is aimed at may well find that it is too detailed. It is an attractive book which will sell but I see it more as an overview of dental implants aimed at the more experienced user. Therefore the authors have partially succeeded in their aims by appealing to the dentist taking postgraduate courses. It will find a place as a reference book but will have difficulty in establishing itself as an undergraduate textbook and the material is pitched beyond the professionals complementary to dentistry. The market place for books covering dental implants is crowded and it can be argued that there are several other books that provide an easier guide to the subject.