CHARLES J. BURSTONE, DDS, MS
KWANGCHUL CHOY, DDS, MS, PhD
608 pages, 2,198 illustrations. $180. 2015.
Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc., 4350 Chandler Drive, Hanover Park, IL 60133.
(800) 621-0387; www.quintpub.com.
The study of orthodontic biomechanics is a lost art. The scientific understanding of tooth movement has largely been replaced by commercial orthodontics based on simple wire sequencing and "magic" brackets. I think that if the recently departed Dr. Charles Burstone were still here, he would say that our profession has become a little lazy and forgotten the fundamental principles of mechanotherapy. Have we stopped asking ourselves, "What are my treatment objectives, and what specific steps will I take to get there?" or "How could this undesirable side effect be avoided?"
In this must-have book for orthodontists of all levels, Dr. Burstone and his coauthor, Dr. Kwangchul Choy, take us back to basics and review orthodontic biomechanics in a method that is simple and eminently readable, embodying the passion of the late master teacher. The 21 chapters are organized into four sections: "The Basics and Single-Force Appliances", "The Biomechanics of Tooth Movement", "Advanced Appliance Therapy", and "Advanced Mechanics of Materials". Virtually every page contains beautiful color illustrations and clinical photos. To reinforce key principles, each chapter ends with questions posed in the form of force diagrams. You can't help but feel transported back into residency, with Dr. Burstone at the front of the class.
I particularly appreciated Chapters 6 and 7, focusing on intrusion mechanics for deep-bite correction. The review of segmental intrusion arches for incisor leveling was especially helpful. I also thoroughly enjoyed Chapter 15, which describes the application of forces with straight wires, including such challenging movements as root uprighting of upper canines and lower second molars. Every chapter presents the clinician with the same primary focus: define the treatment objective, and achieve that goal efficiently and with minimal adverse effects.
When I was a resident, I had the opportunity to attend only one lecture by Dr. Burstone. I drove four hours to Indiana just to hear him speak. What I remember most about that day was his joy in teaching and his fantastic sense of humor. Late in his presentation, a red line flashed over the screen with the sentence, "Not to worry, the lecture is almost over." Thanks to this book, it never has to be.
NEAL D. KRAVITZ, DMD, MS
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