Endodontic radiology, 2nd edition

  • B. Basrani
(ed) Wiley-Blackwell price £93.99; pp 448 ISBN 9780470958490 | ISBN: 978-0-4709-5849-0

A well-written and comprehensive text with contributions from a large number of international experts in the field of endodontics. The book delves into all aspects of radiographic imaging related to endodontics to provide a text that is current for the modern-day clinician.

The book is divided into six parts. These are further subdivided into smaller, more specific chapters. Each chapter is approximately 15–20 pages long, making it a suitable read at lunch times and generally more manageable for the busy modern-day practitioner.

This book is ideal for general dental practitioners who are seeking a greater understanding in the field of endodontic radiology. It would also be highly suitable for the clinician who has committed their line of work to endodontics. The text has a great emphasis on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), but due to the lack of teaching of this subject in undergraduate studies, trainee dentists are advised to 'proceed with caution'.

The book opens by giving the reader a sound understanding of radiology and its relevance to endodontics. Further in, the chapters go on to discuss each endodontic disease process histopathologically. This aids the reader to better understand and interpret lesions when presented on a radiograph. The final parts of the book deal with advanced imaging modalities with references to various clinical cases that bring together all the theory taught in the previous chapters. The author has done a great job at educating the reader to the limitations of plain film radiography by giving emphasis to CBCT and demonstrating its ability to provide an added dimension to visual imaging in endodontics. There are also chapters dedicated to radiographic imaging in implant dentistry and a section devoted to teaching and research; this demonstrates the sheer scope of this book.

It is my impression that all of the images in the book, of which there are plenty, are clinically relevant in aiding the reader in understanding endodontics to a much deeper and satisfying level. These range from histological slides of periapical tissues, clinical photographs and radiographic images from various imaging modalities.

Being a foundation dentist, I can profess that I have extensively expanded my knowledge base from this read. It has subsequently influenced my clinical practice and I'd strongly urge anyone who is truly committed to learning and understanding endodontic imaging to a superior level to invest their time into reading this text.