Overdentures in general dental practice, 3rd edition

Overdentures in general dental practice, 3rd edition

Jorrmol o/Lknfi.~r~~ Vol. 23. No. 2. pp. 127- 134. 1995 Copyright 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved 0300-57121...

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Jorrmol o/Lknfi.~r~~ Vol. 23. No. 2. pp. 127- 134. 1995 Copyright 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved 0300-5712195 $lO.lM t 0.00

Book Reviews Section

Editor:

P. N. Hirschmann

Overdentures in General Dental Practice, 3rd edition. R. M. Basker, A. Harrison, J. P. Ralph and C. J. Watson. Pp. 145. 1993. London, British Medical Journal. Softback, f 15.95. ISBN 0 904588 425. This exceptional paperback continues to get better with each edition. In the 5 years since the previous edition the latest version has gained a fourth author (C. J. Watson) and 61 additional pages, most of which are the result of three new chapters which cover implant-retained overdentures. There has been some updating of the original six chapters to include more recent material from relevant literature. As previously, these chapters start with the theoretical basis for overdentures and subsequently go through the more important aspects of treatment and maintenance. Some rearrangement of the excellent illustrations has been carried out and means that there is generally a better fit with the text. It is good to see that some of the sections in the chapter on ‘Indications for overdentures’ have been expanded, in particular, discussion of the problems of the single complete denture and also tooth wear. In a book of this size it is impossible to cover everything but occasionally one feels the authors should make more of the points they raise. For example, although the question of space for attachments is discussed, they could make more of the importance of correct buccolingual positioning of attachments in relation to the siting of the artificial teeth. They also fail to discuss the need to align many attachments in relation to the path of insertion of an overdenture which is likely to be dictated by bony undercuts. Regarding impression procedures, the authors discuss ‘compression’ (sic.) of the denture-bearing mucosa but make no mention of the possibility of providing specified relief of the abutment teeth. Some manufacturers of attachments provide lead washers to be used during denture processing specifically for this purpose. The new chapters on implants are largely based on the use of hydroxyl-apatite-coated root form implants and it is not unreasonable in a book of this size to limit discussion to one particular implant system. There are useful reviews of the more general aspects of implant treatment such as the indications and contraindications and maintenance procedures. A very useful bibliography is included at the end of the book. This book can be wholeheartedly recommended to practitioners and any serious student of prosthetic dentistry, whether undergraduate or postgraduate. M. J. Barsby

Radiology. F. A. Pasler. Pp. 266. 1992. Stuttgart, Georg Thieme Verlag. Hardback, DM 298. ISBN 3 13 7819016. This is probably the best-produced book on oral radiographic diagnosis published for a long time. The illustrations are unmatched and the diagrams (many of them are in colour) are excellent. They constitute the main part of this book. The accompanying text is short but includes all essentials. Several tables conveniently summarize the most important information. The book begins with a short overview of examination strategies and the required radiographic examination methods. The authors point out that panoramic radiography is the method of first choice, and other radiographs are only taken when the need for supplemental information is obvious. This statement might be too absolute, but the structure of this first chapter in itself illustrates very well the principles of a systematic radiographic examination strategy. The next part describes the projection techniques for panoramic, bitewing, periapical and occlusal radiographs and their interpretation. The radiographs used to explain the radiographic anatomy are of high quality. It is very pleasant that all radiographs of the same type are reproduced with the same magnification. A short but comprehensive section is devoted to film processing techniques and quality control, with several examples of poor quality radiographs to illustrate the text. The second part of the book gives a broad overview of disorders and pathology to be found on radiographs. There are sections on developmental disorders, calcifications, inflammatory disease, sinus and TMJ disorders, cysts, odontogenic and non-odontogenic tumours, traumata and foreign bodies. Each chapter begins with an introduction, giving a short overview of the characteristics and differential diagnosis of the disorders presented in that section. Suggestions are given for the most appropriate radiographic examination. Only radiographic signs and characteristics are described with no mention of the clinical features. This is not a real problem, however, considering that this book aims above all at the radiopathological manifestations of disease. Although the price may seem rather high, the quality and contents completely justify it. This book can be recommended to every general dental practitioner and radiologist. P. F. van der Stelt