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The prevention of dental disease, 2nd edition
Book Reviews
cited references and occasionally confusing captions (Figs 1 O-2 1 and 1 O-22), this is a useful addition to the literature and fulfils the authors’ avowed intentions. C. J. Smith
Dental Materials-Properties and Selection. Edited by William J. O’Brien. Pp. 603. 1989. New Malden: Quintessence. Hardback, f 52.00. This substantial volume is effectively a second edition of the book published in 1978 by another publisher and coedited by G. Ryge. Many of the 28 chapters, each by a specialist author, have been reproduced with only minor alterations. However some chapters, on colour and appearance, denture base polymers, gypsum materials and amalgams, for example, have been rewritten fully in keeping with the state of the art. There are also significant omissions which, in general, stem from a poorly developed exposition of the interrelationships between structure and properties. For instance, there is no proper treatment of fracture toughness or dynamic glasstransition temperatures in polymeric materials. Also, in some areas, such as implants, the recent rate of development has been too swift for the editor to keep pace. Despite these limitations, the book would be a worthy addition to any dental library. The information is rendered fully accessible to the reader. ‘Tree’ diagrams are used throughout to classify materials, the clarity of the graphics is first rate and the text is a pleasure rather than a pain to read. At the close of each chapter is a glossary of technical terms and set of thoughtful questions and answers on the preceding topics. The final chapter presents a formal approach to the process of choosing a dental material, which is most thorough. Appendix A presents a compilation of physical and mechanical properties. As in the previous volume this is invaluable for reference, though it is disappointing to note that the updating here has not been more comprehensive. D. C. Watts The Prevention of Dental Disease, 2nd edition. Edited by J. J. Murray. Pp. 503. 1989. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Softback, f 25.00; hardback, f 40.00. The publication of a new edition may offer the reader the opportunity to update their knowledge, but usually at increased expense. Not so with this book! The original, popular hardback edition was published in 1983 at f25. The second edition has been expanded from 362 to 503 pages and the softback at least, is no more expensive. The aim of the book is to draw together the available clinical and epidemiological evidence related to the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. In order to provide a more comprehensive picture. Most of the original chapters have been revised, and a further three added. The latter make a valuable contribution to the new edition by covering dental health education, root caries and other problems affecting the dentition in middle and old age, and the difficulties involved in preventing dental disease in handicapped patients. Other particularly notable improvements are the discussion of the cost-effectiveness of fissure sealants and the careful consideration of clinical caries diagnosis with colour illustrations of common problems in restored teeth. The twin topics of diet and dental caries, and fluorides, take up two chapters, each about 100 pages long and together they occupy 40 per cent of the book, reflecting
355
both their importance and the detail in which they are discussed. The update on the clinical effectiveness of fluoride varnishes and the legal aspects of fluoridation are particularly worthwhile. The final chapter ends with the comment that the profession must extend its horizons. In the context of continuing care, this excellent book will go a long way towards achieving this aim, and therefore deserves to be widely read by students and practitioners alike. S. A. Williams Radiology for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants. 0. E. Langland, R. P. Langlais, F. H. Sippy and G. H. Williamson. Pp. 237. 1988. Illinois, C. C. Thomas. Hardback, f32.75. The projected audience for this new textbook is both dental assistants and dental hygienists who undertake dental radiography and it ranges in scope from the discovery of X-rays, through technical procedures, to routine interpretation. In producing a textbook of 226 pages the authors have, by necessity, heavily pruned the information covered in such a wide range of associated subjects. This has been done selectively, according to the perceived need for knowledge, so that intraoral techniques are covered in depth, whereas the details of biological interactions at the atomic level are not considered. However, on occasion this has been done to excess; for example, in describing the target interactions in X-ray production, bremsstrahlung radiation is covered in some detail whereas characteristic radiation is not mentioned. Generally, both content and presentation are highly accurate. Perhaps inevitably in a first edition there are a few exceptions: in listing the relative degrees of differential absorption, dentine is accorded a higher position than cortical bone; the zygoma is erroneously given full responsibility for the white U-shaped image detected in maxillary molar projections; SI units are not given as the primary unit; and the maximum permissible dose has not been entirely replaced by the concept of dose limits. The majority of material presented has been carefully thought out. Each chapter concludes with an extensive bibliography, useful when greater detail is required, and relevant questions-answers are provided as an aid in self-assessment. This book provides in a single, readable text the core knowledge required by those dental auxiliaries permitted to practice dental radiography. Supplementation by lectures and reference reading is needed in certain areas. It is also a measure of the quality of this book that it would provide a good introduction to the subject for dental undergraduates. L. M. Brocklebank Panoramic Radiology, 2nd edition. 0. E. Langland, R. P. Langlais, W. D. McDavid and A. M. DelBalso. Pp. 430. 1989. Beckenham, Lea and Febiger. Hardback, f 42.90. Panoramic Radiology was first published in 1982 and, unusually, the second edition is shorter than the first. The book is divided into two sections. Section I titled rather concisely ‘Principles’ is divided into seven chapters, covering the history, theory and characteristics of panoramic radiography, as well as panoramic films, screens and processing, and the biological effects. This section, that on the theory of rotational panoramic
cited references and occasionally confusing captions (Figs 1 O-2 1 and 1 O-22), this is a useful addition to the literature and fulfils the authors’ avowed intentions. C. J. Smith
Dental Materials-Properties and Selection. Edited by William J. O’Brien. Pp. 603. 1989. New Malden: Quintessence. Hardback, f 52.00. This substantial volume is effectively a second edition of the book published in 1978 by another publisher and coedited by G. Ryge. Many of the 28 chapters, each by a specialist author, have been reproduced with only minor alterations. However some chapters, on colour and appearance, denture base polymers, gypsum materials and amalgams, for example, have been rewritten fully in keeping with the state of the art. There are also significant omissions which, in general, stem from a poorly developed exposition of the interrelationships between structure and properties. For instance, there is no proper treatment of fracture toughness or dynamic glasstransition temperatures in polymeric materials. Also, in some areas, such as implants, the recent rate of development has been too swift for the editor to keep pace. Despite these limitations, the book would be a worthy addition to any dental library. The information is rendered fully accessible to the reader. ‘Tree’ diagrams are used throughout to classify materials, the clarity of the graphics is first rate and the text is a pleasure rather than a pain to read. At the close of each chapter is a glossary of technical terms and set of thoughtful questions and answers on the preceding topics. The final chapter presents a formal approach to the process of choosing a dental material, which is most thorough. Appendix A presents a compilation of physical and mechanical properties. As in the previous volume this is invaluable for reference, though it is disappointing to note that the updating here has not been more comprehensive. D. C. Watts The Prevention of Dental Disease, 2nd edition. Edited by J. J. Murray. Pp. 503. 1989. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Softback, f 25.00; hardback, f 40.00. The publication of a new edition may offer the reader the opportunity to update their knowledge, but usually at increased expense. Not so with this book! The original, popular hardback edition was published in 1983 at f25. The second edition has been expanded from 362 to 503 pages and the softback at least, is no more expensive. The aim of the book is to draw together the available clinical and epidemiological evidence related to the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. In order to provide a more comprehensive picture. Most of the original chapters have been revised, and a further three added. The latter make a valuable contribution to the new edition by covering dental health education, root caries and other problems affecting the dentition in middle and old age, and the difficulties involved in preventing dental disease in handicapped patients. Other particularly notable improvements are the discussion of the cost-effectiveness of fissure sealants and the careful consideration of clinical caries diagnosis with colour illustrations of common problems in restored teeth. The twin topics of diet and dental caries, and fluorides, take up two chapters, each about 100 pages long and together they occupy 40 per cent of the book, reflecting
355
both their importance and the detail in which they are discussed. The update on the clinical effectiveness of fluoride varnishes and the legal aspects of fluoridation are particularly worthwhile. The final chapter ends with the comment that the profession must extend its horizons. In the context of continuing care, this excellent book will go a long way towards achieving this aim, and therefore deserves to be widely read by students and practitioners alike. S. A. Williams Radiology for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants. 0. E. Langland, R. P. Langlais, F. H. Sippy and G. H. Williamson. Pp. 237. 1988. Illinois, C. C. Thomas. Hardback, f32.75. The projected audience for this new textbook is both dental assistants and dental hygienists who undertake dental radiography and it ranges in scope from the discovery of X-rays, through technical procedures, to routine interpretation. In producing a textbook of 226 pages the authors have, by necessity, heavily pruned the information covered in such a wide range of associated subjects. This has been done selectively, according to the perceived need for knowledge, so that intraoral techniques are covered in depth, whereas the details of biological interactions at the atomic level are not considered. However, on occasion this has been done to excess; for example, in describing the target interactions in X-ray production, bremsstrahlung radiation is covered in some detail whereas characteristic radiation is not mentioned. Generally, both content and presentation are highly accurate. Perhaps inevitably in a first edition there are a few exceptions: in listing the relative degrees of differential absorption, dentine is accorded a higher position than cortical bone; the zygoma is erroneously given full responsibility for the white U-shaped image detected in maxillary molar projections; SI units are not given as the primary unit; and the maximum permissible dose has not been entirely replaced by the concept of dose limits. The majority of material presented has been carefully thought out. Each chapter concludes with an extensive bibliography, useful when greater detail is required, and relevant questions-answers are provided as an aid in self-assessment. This book provides in a single, readable text the core knowledge required by those dental auxiliaries permitted to practice dental radiography. Supplementation by lectures and reference reading is needed in certain areas. It is also a measure of the quality of this book that it would provide a good introduction to the subject for dental undergraduates. L. M. Brocklebank Panoramic Radiology, 2nd edition. 0. E. Langland, R. P. Langlais, W. D. McDavid and A. M. DelBalso. Pp. 430. 1989. Beckenham, Lea and Febiger. Hardback, f 42.90. Panoramic Radiology was first published in 1982 and, unusually, the second edition is shorter than the first. The book is divided into two sections. Section I titled rather concisely ‘Principles’ is divided into seven chapters, covering the history, theory and characteristics of panoramic radiography, as well as panoramic films, screens and processing, and the biological effects. This section, that on the theory of rotational panoramic