T. Tealdo, M. Bevilacqua, P. Pere. UK: Quintessence price £192.00; pp 388 ISBN

9788874921546

This text describes in detail a technique, both surgical and restorative, for the placement of an immediate loading full arch implant supported prosthesis for restoration of the edentulous maxilla. This technique, which has been developed by a team from the University of Genoa, has been termed the Columbus Bridge Protocol.

This hardback book is published in English, translated from its original Italian form. The text is laid out over 17 chapters, which proceed logically from prosthetic guidelines and principles, diagnosis, pre-surgical procedures, implant placement, data transfer and laboratory stages, to restoration. Chapters are also devoted to maintenance and possible immediate or late complications. There is a wealth of colour images and illustration throughout the text presenting radiographic, clinical and indeed laboratory examples of all stages through this treatment protocol. All chapters are extensively referenced where relevant and this text includes an accompanying DVD, presenting a complete clinical case demonstrating the use of the Columbus Bridge Protocol, as well as the inclusion of several case reports within the text itself.

The Columbus Bridge Protocol itself is, in a simplified manner of speaking, a procedure for the placement of four implants in the edentulous maxilla followed by their immediate loading with a fixed prosthesis 24 hours post-implant placement. Significant supporting evidence for the use of this procedure is supplied in this text through the discussion of firstly a pilot study and then an intermediate-term prospective case controlled trial, where 34 patients treated with the Columbus Bridge Protocol were followed up over a 36 month period and examined against a control of 15 patients treated concurrently using a standard two stage implant placement and delayed loading protocol. The results of these studies as discussed in chapter 13 of this text are favourable and, in the opinion of this reviewer, a critical appraisal of this chapter will be of particular interest to any practitioners who may consider employment of this protocol.

Overall, this is a well written, illustrated and referenced textbook, which describes a logical protocol for the restoration of the edentulous maxilla in a manner which offers some significant advantages to both practitioner and patient. This text should make for very interesting reading on case selection and treatment planning for those practitioners with an interest in implant rehabilitation of the edentulous patient.