62 J. Dent 1994; 22: No.
below which it becomes difficult to wet the particles with
monomer. Therefore, we plan to study the effect of particle
size on the mechanical properties of metal oxide-
polymethacrylate composites in the near future.
In conclusion, the significant improvement in mechan-
ical properties of TiO,-reinforced-polymethacrylate
composite achieved with an appropriate titanate coupling
agent may be indicative of potential clinical usefulness as
a composite pigment for opaque resin materials.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Kenrich Petrochemicals Inc. for supplying
some materials for this study.
References
1. Hosoda H. Yamada T and Inokoshi S. SEM and elemental
analysis of composite resins. J. Prosfhet. Dent 1990; 64:
669-676.
2. Khan AM, Suzuki H, Nomura Yet al. Characterization of
inorganic fillers in visible-light-cured dental composite
resins. J. Oral Rehabil. 1992; 19: 361-370.
3. Bowen RL. Properties of a silica-reinforced polymer for
dental restorations. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 1963; 66: 57-64.
4. Johannson OK, Stark FO. Vogel GE et al. Evidence for
chemical bond formation at silane coupling agent interface.
J. Compost. Mater. 1967; 1: 278-292.
Book reviews
Silver Amalgam in Clinical Practice, 3rd edition.
I. Gainsford and S. Dunne. Pp. 176. 1992. Oxford,
Butterworth-Heinemann. Softback, f 14.95.
Sixteen years have elapsed since the second edition of
this handbook and much of it has therefore had to be
revised. To quote Bowen, amalgam on its own is not ideal
but, because of the until now disappointing results, both
clinically and economically, of the only alternative
materials, it has had a prolonged lease of life. Although
this material does not generate as many publications as,
for example, resin composites, there have been a number
of interesting new research reports. In this new edition,
about one-third of the references date from after 1980,
demonstrating that the authors have carried out a
thorough review of the literature. Important new topics
are a more preventive approach to conservative dentistry,
and the introduction of bonded amalgam restorations.
Emphasis is put on considering the possibility of repairing
amalgam restorations rather than their complete
replacement with all the attendant problems. There are
also some criticisms. The section on auxiliary retention is
definitely outdated and only interesting from a historical
point of view. The possible use of, and criteria for,
amalgam restorations as a substructure for cast crowns
are omitted, as is the prevention of cusp fractures in teeth
with extensive restorations by using amalgam as an
overlay. In discussing bonded amalgam restorations it
would have been wise to have emphasized the as yet
untested clinical prognosis of this type of bond which
may well be shown to incorporate too weak a link. The
5. Hasegawa J, Ban S, Tsuruta S et al. The bond strengths of
veneering resins to metal frameworks. J. Jpn. Dent. Educ.
1988: 86: 22-32.
6. Yoshida K. Matsumura H, Tanaka T et al. Some
properties of commercially available light-cured opaque
resin. J. Jpn. Prosthodont. Sot. 1990; 34: 978-985.
7. Takeyama M. Kashibuchi S. Nakabayashi Net al. Studies on
dental self-curing resins. (17) Adhesion of PMMA with
bovine enamel or dental alloys. .I Jpn. Sot. Dent. Appar.
Mafer. 1978: 19: 179-185.
8. Atsuta M, Abel1 AK, Turner DT et al. A new coupling agent
for composite materials: 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitic
anhydride. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 1982: 16: 619-628.
9. Kalachandra S. Influence of fillers on the water sorption of
composites. Dent. Mater. 1989: 5: 283-288.
10. Nagata K and Turner DT. Influence of Cmethacryloxyethyl
trimellitic anhydride on composite subjected to hygro-
thermal cycling. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 1985: 19: 631-642.
11. Yoshida K. Matsumura H, Tanaka T et al. Physical
properties of light-cured opaque resin. Part 1. Influence of
monomer composition. J. Jpn. Sot. Dent. Mater. Devices
1990; 9: 583-590.
12. Yoshida K, Matsumura H, Tanaka T et al. The relationship
between monomer composition and physical properties of
light-cured opaque resin. Dent. Mater. 1992; 8: 137-139.
13. Yoshida K. Matsumura H and Atsuta M. Monomer com-
position and bond strength of light-cured 4-META opaque
resin. J. Dent. Res. 1990; 69: 849-851.
14. Beech DR and Brown D. The role of the liller-matrix
interface in composite restorative materials based on
poly(methy1 methacrylate). Br. Dent. J. 1972: 133: 297-300.
15. Siiderholm K. Degradation of glass filler in experimental
composite. J. Dent. Res. 1981; 60: 1867-1875.
main advantage of this book remains the systematic,
step-by-step method in which topics are discussed. For
this reason, it is still essential reading for those dental
students and practitioners who would like to gain an
overview of both the problems and potential of amalgam
as a material, as well as its clinical applications.
P. J. J. M. Plasman
Fundamentals of Orthognathic Surgery.
M. Harris and I. R. Reynolds. Pp. 264. 1991. London,
W. B. Saunders. Softback, f 25.00
In this book, Professor Harris and the late Dr Reynolds
have described clearly the essentials of the diagnosis,
planning and management of the more common
dentofacial deformities. Orthodontic presurgical treatment
is outlined simply, but the roles of postsurgical retention
and fine adjustments are played down. Traditional and
contemporary methods of surgery and fixation are well
described with ample line diagrams. Illustrative cases are
used to demonstrate the application of the techniques in
common types of deformity seen in most orthognathic
clinics. There are chapters dealing with special problems
(e.g. patients with cleft lip and palate-a contribution by
Peter Banks) and complications. This softback, economic
book is designed to be a ‘basic manual’ for postgraduate
students and trainees. It achieves that objective and I
recommend it.
J. P. Rood