Practical advanced periodontal surgery

  • S. Dibart
(ed) UK: Wiley price £39.50; pp 192 9780813809571 | ISBN: 978-0-8138-0957-1

This text seems to be aimed at more experienced and specialised dentists. It 'offers a step-by-step guide to cutting edge surgical techniques' to provide predictable solutions to the daily challenges experienced by clinicians.

The initial chapters review the topics of bone physiology and the principles of wound healing, with special focus on the periodontium. Following this, the book highlights the vast scope of periodontal surgery and its dependence on other dental specialities to improve treatment outcomes. Non-periodontal specialists can gain a perspective on the relationship between their input and patient treatment outcomes.

Each clinical chapter provides the author with cases to follow. The methodology of case management is consistent, discussing case prognosis and evidence based rationale. The text is supplemented with many appropriate illustrations and relevant photographs. For those who are keen, ample material can be referred to and found at the end of each chapter. There is a well listed index that aids navigation around the book.

Readers of this text will be aware that the authors are based in the United States. The questionable translation to UK practice and its relevance may be highlighted with two points. Firstly, the scope of periodontal surgery differs in both countries. Secondly, the chapter on (periodontal) oral medicine discusses cases which may be deemed inappropriate for management by clinicians outside the hospital service. However, the text on the whole demonstrates predictable periodontal surgery and its use by various practitioners.

I believe that some sections of this text would be beyond the scope of most general practitioners and undergraduate students. This leaves enhanced generalists, postgraduate students, trainee and established specialists with a concise yet comprehensive text. The easy-to-read format interspersed with colourful examples of procedures makes it accessible and stimulating.

This text is unique, practical and reader friendly. It focuses on the importance of evidence based contemporary and multi-disciplinary management. I would recommend it as essential reading, especially for trainee periodontists.