21st century imaging

  • K. Horner,
  • N. Drage &
  • D. Brettle
UK: Quintessence price £28.00; pp 180 ISBN 9781850970972 | ISBN: 978-1-8509-7097-2

This is the first edition of this textbook. It is written by Keith Horner, Professor of Dental and Maxillofacial Imaging at Manchester University, Nicholas Drage, Consultant in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology at Cardiff University and David Brettle, Head of Radiological Physics at Leeds University.

The book aims to provide readers with 'a comprehensive introduction to state-of-the-art dental imaging, in particular to the complexities of dental radiology and the advanced techniques available for cross-sectional imaging'. Being part of the Quintessentials for General Dental Practitioners Series, this book covers basic principles and key issues in all aspects of dentistry, and is certainly in line with the high standard of many other books in the series. The layout is logical, initial chapters dealing with the historical perspective, intra-oral radiograph equipment and imaging, panoramic equipment and imaging, and conventional image receptors. Later chapters deal with digital imaging (both direct and indirect), image storage, handling, and implant imaging. Each chapter is neatly composed with a summary (under different guises, either key points or concluding comments), which help to clarify newly acquired information. This topic, obviously very pertinent for general dental practitioners is visually enhanced by the use of copious photographs, diagrams, tables and charts. These, along with a well organised breakdown of subheadings, provide an easy read. This book I feel will be of great interest to the general dental practitioner who needs refreshing on radiology theory, or is considering updating radiography equipment.

In summary this book is well written and concise. The text is easy to digest and deals exceptionally well with fairly complex computer issues which might otherwise confuse luddites. On the whole, I feel the authors have managed to make an important and rapidly developing field very user friendly. I would recommend this book to dental students or to dentists in general practice.