QDT 2012

  • S. Duarte
(ed) UK: Quintessence price £78.00; pp 236 ISBN 9780867155624 | ISBN: 978-0-867-15562-4

This beautiful book presents the heights of aesthetic dentistry. The 35th anniversary issue of QDT, an annual publication, is a compilation of interesting articles reporting successes in fixed prosthodontics. The main focus of this year's issue is ultraconservative esthetic treatment and nature-inspired restorations, which will be of interest to dental technicians and any clinician keeping abreast of the advances in cosmetic dentistry. A slim, easy-to-read volume, it is generously illustrated with hundreds of glossy colour photographs.

In sixteen articles a variety of case reports and dental materials are detailed with contributions from numerous international professionals. The material topics include accurate colour reproduction, a guide to post and core restorations and an anatomical approach to building up porcelain in crown and bridgework.

The case reports range from the routine to the very complex. Throughout the volume there is enthusiastic discussion of getting the best possible result for every tooth restored, but the real delight is the multidisciplinary cases that have enviable results. These include patients presenting with hypodontia and dentinogenesis imperfecta with reduced occlusal vertical dimension.

This is an inspiring book to read and I feel it would give any clinician the confidence to strive for a higher quality of prosthodontic work. Although some of the cases would be quite adventurous to attempt in practice, it shows there is still much to learn. I certainly feel more emboldened when examining the shape, composition and characterisation of the anterior teeth.

The articles are well referenced and guide the enthusiast towards further reading. There are tables and images throughout with a well executed step-by-step approach to clinical techniques.

Its real success is in its demonstration of multidisciplinary work where dental technology, prosthodontics, oral surgery and restorative dentistry are contributing to an impressive result for the patient. Overall this is a reminder of the beautiful outcomes that can be achieved in dentistry.