BRIAN D. WILLISON, CDT
STEPHEN P. WARUNEK, DDS, MS
619 pages. $195. 2004.
Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd.
P.O. Box 5111, Tonawanda, NY 14151
(800) 828-7626; www.greatlakesortho.com
This book uniquely combines the skills of a Certified Dental Technician and lecturer on laboratory procedures (Mr. Willison) with the expertise of a practicing orthodontist and academic (Dr. Warunek). As Dr. James McNamara states in the foreword, "The intended audience is broad, including the seasoned laboratory technician as well as the novice who is just beginning his or her career as an orthodontic technician. In addition, this volume provides a wealth of knowledge for the practicing orthodontist as well as for orthodontic graduate students learning to construct orthodontic appliances during the irresidency."
The first section covers basic concepts from simple explanations of dental anatomy to complex biological principles. Each of the six chapters is written so that both the novice and the expert can follow along, and each builds on the others in a logical sequence, from tooth identification to arch dimensions, cephalometrics, fixed appliances, extractions, and interproximal enamel removal. To show how thorough this book is, the section ends with a discussion of how to design an orthodontic laboratory.
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Section II ("Technical Procedures") is equally comprehensive, and by itself would serve as an excellent textbook. Beginning with impression techniques, it progresses through fabrication of all the most popular appliances, with a brief history of each appliance where appropriate. The construction procedures are easy to follow, thanks to numerous photographs and illustrations.
The Herbst appliance and its various banded, crown, and acrylic-splint designs are described in detail. The authors also include outlines on facebow transfer, indirect bonding, retainers, active plates, soldered appliances (with soldering exercises), functional appliances, mouthguards, and invisible plates, finishing with a passage on the Biostar and its many applications.
The collaboration of these two authors has resulted in a high-quality text presented in a logical, readable format. A useful quiz at the conclusion of each chapter helps ensure comprehension. Students, technicians, and orthodontists will all find this book to be a must for their libraries.
MICHAEL B. ROGERS, DDS