Risk factors in implant dentistry

  • F. Renouard &
  • B. Rangert
UK: Quintessence price £76.00; pp 216 ISBN 9782912550569 | ISBN: 978-2-9125-5056-9

The authors of this hardback aim to appeal to a wide range of clinicians from students to implant specialists. The intention of their book is to demonstrate a simplified clinical analysis for predictable treatment when carrying out implant dentistry.

As the authors are European the translated text is occasionally a little elaborate. However, the content is simple to navigate and each chapter consists of numerous constructive clinical photographs, radiographs and illustrated diagrams. The authors also include a large number of tables and checklists, which are particularly valuable for highlighting the most important text and for summarising specific risk factors.

Seven chapters detail the general, aesthetic and biomechanical risk factors involved in placing dental implants. The edentulous maxilla and mandible are tackled individually and there is a section dedicated to successful treatment planning. This includes radiographic examination and the construction of surgical guides. It also touches on the indications for bone augmentation. I particularly liked the last chapter, which consists of tables that simply list some of the complications a clinician may encounter. Each complication is linked to a probable cause and a solution. There is even a 'top 10 tips for establishing your dental implant practice' – although many of these will be evident to the experienced clinician. Several of the chapters conclude with a test to enable the reader to check their knowledge. The book draws to a close with a handy list of recommended reading.

This book will serve as a valuable aid for treatment planning and for identifying patients for whom treatment may be best avoided. The quality of the photographs is excellent. It would be fair to say that there is a certain amount of assumed knowledge – the book will not tell you how to place an implant, it simply discusses the risk factors associated with doing so. On the other hand, I imagine that for the experienced implantologist, the educational benefit may be rather limited as the text is brief in parts.