Implant and regenerative therapy in dentistry: a guide to decision making

  • P. A. Fugazzotto
UK: Wiley-Blackwell price £69.99; pp 434 ISBN 9780813829623 | ISBN: 978-0-8138-2962-3

This is a beautifully illustrated 400 page hardback American textbook with more than 700 clinical photographs. The editor is a full-time clinical practitioner specialising in periodontics and implant surgery. The contributors come from as far afield as Spain, Australia and Italy and have diverse backgrounds: scientific research, private clinical practice and university professorships.

The book is aimed towards the experienced clinician already undertaking implant surgery. It is not a reference book on the science and fundamentals of implant techniques; it assumes core knowledge and complements existing practice, supporting the surgeon through development of their techniques. It is divided into 13 chapters covering, for example, guided bone regeneration, surgical planning of partially dentate cases, immediate single tooth implant placement and full arch immediate loading. Chapters are dedicated to the management strategies for augmentation of the posterior maxilla, furcated involved mandibular molars and alveolar bone preservation after tooth extraction.

Each chapter is impressively illustrated with clinical photographs, radiographs, CT scans and images of the associated laboratory techniques. Most chapters contain up to a dozen detailed case reports with supporting start to finish clinical views. These images act as excellent references and will inspire the less experienced operator. There are extensive references at the end of each chapter.

The book aims to assist the surgeon with problem solving and to this end provides many decision-making algorithms and treatment planning exercises. The algorithms are in the form of simple flow charts and the exercises give tabulated advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option.

The book is worthy of study by all implantologists and the combination of photographic clinical series, tables and flow diagrams will ensure it will appeal to many.