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Textbook of operative dentistry, 2nd ed.
J. Dent.
1986;
14: 137-l
38 Printed in Great Britain
137
Book Reviews Nutrition in Oral Health and Disease R. L. Pollack and E. Kravitz. 250 X 176 mm. Pp. 482. 1985. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger. Hardback, $35.25. The structure of this book is a departure from the normal concept of a textbook in that rather than relying on one or two authors to review all the data available, a variety of experts have written chapters on their own specialities. The result is that each chapter provides a compact and well-referenced fund of information for the interested dentist. The contents are divided into sections, the first two sections are basic and concentrate on the biological nutritional requirements at the various stages of human development, and the local oral implications. Section three is concerned with the influence of essential nutrients on oral pathology, the subject matter of section four is a comprehensive treatise on applied nutrition, while section five is devoted to a survey of general nutritional information. The public have become increasingly aware of the influence of nutritional factors on their own teeth and supporting structures, and even more important from their point of view, of the effect upon their children. This has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of dental caries, and a consequent decrease in requirements for dental treatment. Where the public lead, practitioners will have to follow. When one considers the more expensive aspects of dentistry, the third most expensive investment a patient may make is bridge and crown work. While dentists would not consider placing a bridge unless the supporting structures are sound, insufficient regard is given to the role nutrition plays in the maintenance of the integrity of these supporting structures, with the result that many patients suffer an irretrievable and substantial financial loss. Given these facts this book is a must in the armamentarium of the modern practising dentist. A few criticisms: I feel that the excellent work of Dr Weston Price is too easily dismissed, and the chapter on Food Fads and Fallacies is biased and insufficiently researched; having got that off my chest, this is an excellent text and reference book. J. G. Levenson Textbook of Operative Dentistry, 2nd ed. L. Baum, R. W. Phillips and M. R. Lund. 260 x 184 mm. Pp. 604. 1985. London, W. 8. Saunders. Hardback, f 29.50. The goal of this book, to cover the entire field of operative dentistry in only 604 pages, is extremly difficult. Therefore some of the finer points belonging to the various treatment possibilities can not be included. However, at first glance the authors seem to have been able to make this large amount of material clearly understandable for the beginner. The book is very
logically organized with many figures and graphic illustrations. It was enjoyable to find a chapter on Esthetic Considerations in Operative Dentistry, however, it was unfortunate that the photographs in this chapter were not in colour. More thorough investigation of the contents unfortunately shows that the approach is sometimes very strict and mechanically oriented. This results in biological aspects being ignored. The “Oover indication” for retentive pins is a good example. Today, the indications for their use can be extremely limited due to the availability of alternative techniques. The chapter on Tooth-Coloured Restoratives must be immediately revised because they make the bad mistake of placing composite resin materials without always propagating enamel etching. According to present scientific knowledge, this is absolutely contraindicated. In general the book is a valuable lecture for the practitioner due to its many practice-related tips and tricks. However, the mistakes in the contents must be carefully considered. Therefore, it can not be recommended for students. G. M. Loesche and J. F. Roulet Colour Atlas of Periodontology K. H. Rateitschak E. M. Rateitschak H. F. Wolf and T. M. Hassel. 400 x 230 mm. Pp. 322. 1985. Stuttgart George Thieme Verlag. f 80 approx This book is an atlas in every sense of the word. The authors have employed a large number of superb clinical and other photographs, supported by excellent photomicrographs and well-planned tables and figures to cover a wide range of periodontal topics. A cursory glance at the acknowledgements at the beginning and end of the book immediately suggests to the reader the likely high standard of this text. The atlas has been divided into several sections, namely Basic Principles, Diagnosis, Prevention, Therapy and Adjunctive Therapy, and under each main heading are a number of subheadings. The book is not, perhaps with the exception of the therapy section, an in-depth treatise of each subject. However, any interested reader, whether a specialist, postgraduate, undergraduate, general practitioner or hygienist, cannot help but learn from the considerable amount of scientific and clinical data contained within this atlas. The Basic Principles section is an up-to-date summary of structure, aetiology and pathogenesis. The subsections on the microbiology of periodontal disease and the host immune response are particularly well presented to allow rapid assimilation of the important facts of these complex subjects. Importantly, the authors have attempted to avoid dogma and in many instances point out areas of controversy. In this respect, with the present discussions concerning surgical and non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease, only time will tell whether the therapy section is too large in its coverage of surgical
1986;
14: 137-l
38 Printed in Great Britain
137
Book Reviews Nutrition in Oral Health and Disease R. L. Pollack and E. Kravitz. 250 X 176 mm. Pp. 482. 1985. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger. Hardback, $35.25. The structure of this book is a departure from the normal concept of a textbook in that rather than relying on one or two authors to review all the data available, a variety of experts have written chapters on their own specialities. The result is that each chapter provides a compact and well-referenced fund of information for the interested dentist. The contents are divided into sections, the first two sections are basic and concentrate on the biological nutritional requirements at the various stages of human development, and the local oral implications. Section three is concerned with the influence of essential nutrients on oral pathology, the subject matter of section four is a comprehensive treatise on applied nutrition, while section five is devoted to a survey of general nutritional information. The public have become increasingly aware of the influence of nutritional factors on their own teeth and supporting structures, and even more important from their point of view, of the effect upon their children. This has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of dental caries, and a consequent decrease in requirements for dental treatment. Where the public lead, practitioners will have to follow. When one considers the more expensive aspects of dentistry, the third most expensive investment a patient may make is bridge and crown work. While dentists would not consider placing a bridge unless the supporting structures are sound, insufficient regard is given to the role nutrition plays in the maintenance of the integrity of these supporting structures, with the result that many patients suffer an irretrievable and substantial financial loss. Given these facts this book is a must in the armamentarium of the modern practising dentist. A few criticisms: I feel that the excellent work of Dr Weston Price is too easily dismissed, and the chapter on Food Fads and Fallacies is biased and insufficiently researched; having got that off my chest, this is an excellent text and reference book. J. G. Levenson Textbook of Operative Dentistry, 2nd ed. L. Baum, R. W. Phillips and M. R. Lund. 260 x 184 mm. Pp. 604. 1985. London, W. 8. Saunders. Hardback, f 29.50. The goal of this book, to cover the entire field of operative dentistry in only 604 pages, is extremly difficult. Therefore some of the finer points belonging to the various treatment possibilities can not be included. However, at first glance the authors seem to have been able to make this large amount of material clearly understandable for the beginner. The book is very
logically organized with many figures and graphic illustrations. It was enjoyable to find a chapter on Esthetic Considerations in Operative Dentistry, however, it was unfortunate that the photographs in this chapter were not in colour. More thorough investigation of the contents unfortunately shows that the approach is sometimes very strict and mechanically oriented. This results in biological aspects being ignored. The “Oover indication” for retentive pins is a good example. Today, the indications for their use can be extremely limited due to the availability of alternative techniques. The chapter on Tooth-Coloured Restoratives must be immediately revised because they make the bad mistake of placing composite resin materials without always propagating enamel etching. According to present scientific knowledge, this is absolutely contraindicated. In general the book is a valuable lecture for the practitioner due to its many practice-related tips and tricks. However, the mistakes in the contents must be carefully considered. Therefore, it can not be recommended for students. G. M. Loesche and J. F. Roulet Colour Atlas of Periodontology K. H. Rateitschak E. M. Rateitschak H. F. Wolf and T. M. Hassel. 400 x 230 mm. Pp. 322. 1985. Stuttgart George Thieme Verlag. f 80 approx This book is an atlas in every sense of the word. The authors have employed a large number of superb clinical and other photographs, supported by excellent photomicrographs and well-planned tables and figures to cover a wide range of periodontal topics. A cursory glance at the acknowledgements at the beginning and end of the book immediately suggests to the reader the likely high standard of this text. The atlas has been divided into several sections, namely Basic Principles, Diagnosis, Prevention, Therapy and Adjunctive Therapy, and under each main heading are a number of subheadings. The book is not, perhaps with the exception of the therapy section, an in-depth treatise of each subject. However, any interested reader, whether a specialist, postgraduate, undergraduate, general practitioner or hygienist, cannot help but learn from the considerable amount of scientific and clinical data contained within this atlas. The Basic Principles section is an up-to-date summary of structure, aetiology and pathogenesis. The subsections on the microbiology of periodontal disease and the host immune response are particularly well presented to allow rapid assimilation of the important facts of these complex subjects. Importantly, the authors have attempted to avoid dogma and in many instances point out areas of controversy. In this respect, with the present discussions concerning surgical and non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease, only time will tell whether the therapy section is too large in its coverage of surgical