This is the second edition of this textbook, after publication of the first edition in 2010. The entire medical and dental field is changing rapidly, this also holds true for the field of orthodontics. So, after 6 years, the authors made an effort to update their text. They added blue text boxes in the main text that specifically address the question ‘where is the evidence’. Second, they added a new Chapter 14 about evidence-based orthodontics that covers the basics of evidence-based medicine but within the context of clinical orthodontics.
The book starts with a chapter about occlusion and malocclusion. The next four chapters concern the biological background of orthodontics: pre- and postnatal development and growth of the craniofacial region including the dentition, and the biological and mechanical basis of orthodontic tooth movement. From Chapter 6 on, we follow the patient through an orthodontic treatment course from examination and diagnosis, to treatment planning and treatment with contemporary removable and fixed appliances. An extensive chapter (>70 pages) addresses the etiology and management of all kind of clinical situations in relation to the developing dentition. The final chapters deal with management of the permanent dentition including orthognathic surgery, and cleft lip and palate and craniofacial syndromes. The book ends with the earlier mentioned chapter about evidence-based orthodontics, which does not seem very logical as the authors use evidence boxes throughout the book. An earlier explanation of the evidence concept would be more functional.
This is a useful book for undergraduate students as well as starting postgraduate students and clinicians who want to update their knowledge. The book has many high-quality figures that elaborate the text. The text is concise but still an easy read. The colour coding of the chapters and the use of coloured text blocks function well in supporting the reader to find his/her way through the chapters. The book differs from other orthodontic textbooks by explaining more in detail the biological basis of our profession. This does not mean it is a basic science book. The strong point of this book is that the underlying biology is always discussed in a clinical context. As the authors state ‘the underlying biology of the patient will always be the winner’. So the orthodontist should at least understand it to become a close second.