BOOK REVIEWS 71

Various surgical approaches are considered in connection with enlargement of the

coronoid process, the intra-oral route being preferred when possible. The importance of
post-operative physiotherapy is emphasised. Short wave diathermy and ultra-sound are
recommended in addition to the usual jaw exercisers. The monograph is highly recom-
mended and summarises all the available knowledge on this relatively obscure but clinically
important pathological entity.
N. L. ROWE

Oral Surgery IV. 4th International Conference on Oral Surgery. Copenhagen:

Munksgaard. 1973. Price k12.30.
This 4th volume is a series of reports of the transactions of the conference held in
Amsterdam in May 1971 and opens with papers that contributed to the symposia. The
first symposium was devoted to the maxillary sinus, and the second to central non-
odontogenic lesions of the jaws which included an excellent analysis by Professor Kramer
of the histopathology of some of the tumours.
The other papers are grouped under 16 general headings and reflect the wide scope
of subjects now embraced by the both specialised and wider interests of the oral surgeon.
Case reports of interest are interspersed with articles on a variety of research projects.
Among these bone grafts and transplantation emerge with their tantalisingproblems probed
further but incompletely solved whilst the mysteries of the aetiology of cysts are debated
further, especially the likely reasons for recurrence. Minor oral surgery is not neglected
and Mr Ross presents a convincing case for retrograde root fillings with amalgam as being
more reliable clinically than the radiologically deceptive techniques that are widely
adopted.
A glimpse of current developments is provided by a paper describing the use of a
biocompatible bonding material between various prostheses and both hard and soft
tissues. A possible future development concerns the use of antigenically altered collagen.
Preliminary work in animals is reported that would appear to suggest a potential use of
the material in a variety of surgical procedures.
Temporomandibular joint problems are covered in six contributions that range from
a report on some excellent research on the articular reflex control of mastication to a
variety of surgical procedures including myotomy. Finally a section on traumatic injuries
includes grim reminders of the uneasy era in which we live.
Lester Kay as the Editor has undertaken a formidable task but has largely succeeded
in assembling a volume worthy of serious reading by all those interest in oral surgery. A
few mistakes must be forgiven and Messrs Simpson and Stanley who appeared to be
‘Fibre Fighting’ in the index will be relieved to find they are correctly reported in the text
as using ‘Fibre Lighting in Oral Surgery’.
F. I. H. WHITEHEAD

Atlas of Oral Surgery. By BENJAMINJ. GANS. London: Henry Kimpton. Pp. 239.
1972. Price&r2*8o.
At each opening of the atlas there is a page of illustrations of an operative procedure,
and facing it a descriptive text under the headings ‘Clinical Comments and Highlights’
and ‘Surgical Techniques’.
The atlas starts with the basic preparations for surgery, suturing and knot tying,
and goes on to cover roentgenography, local anaesthesia and emergencies. Tooth
extractions and the field of dento-alveolar surgery are covered. There are also sections
on facial fractures, bone grafting, salivary glands, developmental deformities and the
temporomandibular joint.
72 BRITISH JOURNAL OF ORAL SURGERY
The chapter on roentgenography is admirably succinct and the presentations on
preprosthetic surgery and odontogenic infections are iirst class.
It is inevitable now and then to find oneself disagreeing with the methods and
technique advocated, but in general the information is sound and helpful. However,
in advocating the use of the deltoid as a possible site for intramuscular injection, no
mention is made of the musculo-spiral nerve. There is no reference to the dangerous
proximity of the bra&al artery to the median cubital vein. In fact the needle is clearly
illustrated as entering medial to the biceps tendon.
The illustrations are a success, bridging the difference between confusing realism
and purely diagrammatic presentations. The most satisfying plate is I 1.1, showing
very clearly indeed the steps in the buccal flap closure for oro-antral fistula.
The stated purpose of this atlas is to provide a surgical guide to dental students,
oral surgery residents, the practitioners of general dentistry and the oral surgeon. It is
quite impossible to meet these disparate needs in one volume. In trying to achieve the
various goals, a ‘Boy Scout’s Penknife’ type of book has been produced, performing
several functions fairly well but none superbly.
In this country the atlas would be useful to senior undergraduates and house officers.
Quite clearly, Dr Gans has had to be selective in his choice of material and the axe has
fallen on the more major surgical procedures. Consultant and trainee oral surgeons will
therefore find this work to be too sparse in the areas in which they need most help.
PAUL BRAMLEY

An Introduction to Fixed Appliances. By K. G. ISAACSON

and J. K. WILLIAMS.
Bristol: John Wright & Sons. l?rice&*25.
This small book is intended to complement a formal course of orthodontic instruction
and also to be of interest to practitioners experienced with removable appliances. It is
concerned mainly with mechanics designed to produce given tooth movement, and
diagnosis is intentionally omitted.
First there is a very useful chapter ‘Supervision of the patient’, covering the
implications for the patient of fixed appliances, the preparation of the mouth and super-
vision of treatment. Then, after describing the components of fixed appliances, the
authors consider the uses of palatal and lingual arches, and extra-oral traction. The
alignment of incisors and canines, the reason for treatment of most patients, is considered
in some detail, but adequate space is also given to the unwanted movements which may
arise, in separate chapters of ‘Molar control’ and ‘Anchorage’.
This is a very readable and well-illustrated book which manages to describe the
underlying principles as well as the practical details of tooth movement with fixed
appliances. Although there are a few details with which one would not agree, especially
the very high forces given for extra-oral traction, the book can be recommended as a
straightforward introduction to the subject.
T. GORDONBENNETT

Craniofacial Embryology; Dental Practitioner Handbook No. 15. By G. H.

SPEREER.Bristol: John Wright & Son. Pp. 14. go illus. PriceL2.50.
This is a rather surprising but welcome addition to the extensive series of handbooks
in the Dental Practitioner range. Its title explains its contents; it consists of a straight-
forward descriptive account of the growth and development of the face and jaws,
essentially pre-natal, although the author carries on the story after birth where this
serves to make it complete. The account is an uncomplicated one, giving generally
accepted theories or, where this is impossible, explaining alternative hypotheses. The
only exception is in the account of tooth eruption, where the author appears to believe