| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Book Reviews |
Assistant Professor, Department of Care Planning and Restorative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Dentistry, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216; 601-984-6030; pchatterjee{at}sod.umsmed.edu
The purpose of this book is to explain potential treatment options to the patient. The atlas is well illustrated with before and after treatment patient photos along with procedural photos where applicable. The cases described are treated by a general dentist who incorporates a multidisciplinary approach including periodontal surgery, oral surgery, and orthodontics.
The atlas is written in lay terms so it is easily understood by those not dentally trained. The treatment outcome photos show realistic results consistent with the degree of complexity of each case. The photos are not "flashy" and would not yield unreasonably high expectations. The photos are of good clarity and size. The atlas is physically capable of being propped on a counter to be a flip chart in a clinical operatory or consultation room. The atlas is well bound with hard covers and has a hardcover sleeve if it needs to be transported or shelved when not in use. There is a table of contents for ease of access to each case. The page heading describes a dental problem followed by the treatment selected. Each page has a problem column that describes the issues for the patient and a solution column that bullet points the phased treatment, briefly describing the procedural steps. The Treatment Index, at the end of the atlas, lists all the treatments discussed in alphabetical order with corresponding page numbers.
The atlas can serve as a guide in patient consultation appointments and treatment planning cases to better explain and visualize the treatment. For dentists who are building a cosmetic practice, this atlas can quickly educate the patients and auxiliary staff on how the treatment will be organized. The photos depict much of the dental terminology used to explain treatment options, thereby clarifying the terms for the patient. This atlas can aid in facilitating treatment for the patient who may be questioning the necessity of additional radiographs required for implant treatment. The book includes a section on diagnostic radiographs for implant dentistry.
The atlas does have a few shortcomings. First, when reviewing case-based information, the clinician will have to alter treatments to fit the needs of every particular patient. The atlas proposes some treatments for patients for which there could be alternative treatments and results that are not mentioned. The second issue is that there was relatively little stress on maintaining oral hygiene from the standpoint of the patient. Another issue is the case on page 24 illustrating a long span fixed prosthesis that may not have enough abutments for adequate support. Finally, the atlas includes two cases using removable partial dentures, but no cases using esthetic clasps made from resin.
This book is recommended for general dentists who provide a wide spectrum of treatment options for their patients. Although it does not replace collecting accurate diagnostic data and formulating a treatment plan, it can serve as a tool to communicate with patients regarding their treatment. It is a book designed for reading, as well as a reference that can be helpful to dentists and their auxiliary staffs.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
