J. A. Hobkirk, D. S. Gill, S. P. Jones, K. W. Hemmings, G. S.Bassi , A. L. O'Donnell, J. R. Goodman. UK: Wiley-Blackwell price £79.99; pp 199 ISBN

9781405188593

This very informative, easy to read book has been written by members of the Eastman Dental Institute's Multidisciplinary Hypodontia Team. It compiles and incorporates a wealth of knowledge gained over 33 years of multidisciplinary hypodontia treatment at the Eastman.

The book is primarily aimed at those involved in the management of hypodontia within specialist practice or hospital dentistry. The level of detail is probably not necessary for those in general practice without a specific interest in the subject. However, the book explains concepts well and does not assume too much prior knowledge on the subject.

It brings together the latest information and best practice from orthodontics, restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry and other specialties that form the basis for the successful treatment of hypodontia.

The book is sensibly arranged into three core sections. The first sets the scene, providing detailed and well-referenced background information into the condition. It covers the aetiology and epidemiology, inheritance patterns, clinical features of hypodontia and advises on the framework for a team approach bringing together different specialties.

The second covers the key issues that must be considered when managing patients with a reduced number of teeth - these being issues of space within and between the dental arches, the occlusion and problems that may arise from the inadequacy of associated supporting tissues.

The final part builds well upon previous chapters and sets out logical strategies for the management of hypodontia at different stages of dental development. This area of the book as with others is exhaustive in its coverage of the subject and presents the information in an extremely authoritative manner with numerous clinical cases for examples. In fact throughout the book, excellent clinical photos support the text and represent clearly what the authors are describing.

In summary this new volume on the management of hypodontia provides those specialist dentists involved in the treatment of this condition with an authoritative and evidence-based text from which to refer. It is well structured and provides solutions to many problems without the reader having to scan excessive amounts of text.