REVIEWS AND ABSTRACTS
Book reviews and article abstracts
Edited by Alex Jacobson, DMD, MS, PhD
Birmingham, Ala
BOOK REVIEWS to soft tissue subnasale and pogonion, the nasolabial angle and
the form, size, and shape of the nose, maxillary and mandibular
Problem solving in orthodontics: Goal- sulcus, ethnic differences, and perioral function. Toward the end
of the chapter, the effects of the anteroposterier position and
oriented treatment strategies axial inclination of the incisors on stability are discussed.
Charles J. Burstone and Michael R. Marcotte In broad terms, the tendency in orthodontics is to treat
Quintessence Publishing, 551 North Kimberly Drive, Carol Stream, toward a midline. The factors that determine a midpoint must,
IL 60188; 261 pages; $188.00 of necessity, include the facial midpoint, the incisor–apical base
midpoint, and the posterior midpoint. In a separate chapter, the
Rather than focusing on a particular technique, the first authors discuss the subjectivity and limitations of selecting a
emphasis of this book is orthodontic diagnosis and treatment facial midline and clearly describe and illustrate how to identify
planning and, secondarily, the biomechanics of treatment. incisor–apical base and posterior midpoints. The final chapter is
Unlike medicine, where treatment planning is based on identi- devoted to the management of arch-length discrepancies, that is,
fication of a disease, orthodontists treat malocclusions that are arch-length inadequacy or redundancy. Methods of measuring
not pathologic conditions. Rather, they are the result of normal arch length are shown, including the occlusogram technique,
dental and skeletal variations that warrant treatment only when which has the advantage of measuring actual tooth sizes from
the esthetic or functional variations are sufficient to disturb the dental casts. Also portrayed are many cases in which molars
patient. Having determined such a need, appropriate records have been distalized to gain space, the alternative being extrac-
are taken, and valid measurable objectives, achievability, and tion therapy; both procedures are elaborated upon. Four appen-
benefits to the patient are articulated. The authors describe a 3- dices include the mesiodistal diameters of the permanent and
dimensional treatment planning system that entails tracing deciduous teeth, cephalometric methods and standards by age
dental, skeletal, and soft tissue structures from lateral and and gender, growth predictive methods, and the occlusogram
frontal cephalometric and occlusal radiographs. Treatment technique for planning treatment and evaluating treatment out-
goals involve the horizontal, vertical, and transverse dental or comes. The book represents an enlightened, sound, and dogma-
skeletal changes; this includes estimating the downward and free approach to diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodon-
forward effects of growth, the vertical effects of mandibular tics, which is, in itself, refreshing. A worthwhile investment.
rotation, and the transverse effects of palatal expansion. The
Alex Jacobson
basis for and limitations of estimation and prediction of these
effects are covered in the second chapter of the book. 0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/8/113292
After the determination of optimal skeletal relationships, doi:10.1067/mod.2001.113292
the next step is to determine the cant and level of the occlusal
plane. Chapter 3 discusses occlusal curvatures, the occlusal Optimization of orthodontic elastics
plane from the frontal aspect, relationships of the teeth to the
occlusal plane, variation in both arches, the effects of altering Michel Langlade
the occlusal plane on the A-B difference, and treating toward an GAC International, 185 Oval Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722-1402;
esthetic occlusal plane. A sizeable chapter, with numerous pho- 224 pages, 159 pictures; January 2000
tographs and illustrations, is devoted to how stability of the arch
width is determined, how to distinguish dental from skeletal This is a book with a difference: it assumes that the reader
crossbites, and how expansion can be used to increase arch is familiar with orthodontic treatment procedures. In lieu of
length. Whether to expand the lower arch or contract the upper elaborate narratives of where and why elastics are used in
canines is dependent on canine overjet, which entails evaluating orthodontics, there are numerous superb color photographs
cheek contact with the canines. The latter concept is described, and crisp black and white drawings accompanied by legends
as are generalized arch contraction, and treatment toward the and summary descriptions featured under bold subheadings,
original canine width. The most substantial chapter—and the all of which make for easy reference and browsing.
one likely to generate the most interest—is the one that deals Definitions and a brief history of elastics are outlined in
with arch form and dimension and the much debated and often the first 2 chapters. Succinctly described and illustrated in
controversial issue of anteroposterior positioning of the chapter 3, “Classification of orthodontic forces,” are elastic
incisors. Much consideration is given to soft tissue thickness of placement, movement force, indications and contraindica-
the lips and chin, total facial convexity from soft tissue nasion tions, force classification, and a basis for prescribed pres-
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/May 2001 563
564 Reviews and Abstracts American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
May 2001
sures. The section on “Elastic wear motivation” includes A substantial chapter is devoted to nonextraction treat-
patient compliance, appointment intervals for elastic wearers, ment of a wide variety of cases, starting with 2 mixed denti-
limitations and warning signals of elastic wearing, headgear tion Class I female patients. The 3-phase treatment of Class
instruction, and motivational ideas. II malocclusions begins with distal molar movement and pre-
The next 3 chapters outline the biomechanics of elastic molar and canine retraction, followed by incisor retraction
forces used in Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions. and finishing. Headgear is advocated in the late mixed and
Included in these chapters are the indications and clinical appli- early permanent dentition. Other treatment adjuncts include
cations for the various elastic types, elastomeric chains and asso- the acrylic cervical occipital appliance (ACCO) appliance,
ciated problems, Class II molar extrusion and how to combat it, modified removable Nance, and Sentalloy coils and wires.
and possible TMD problems in Class III treatment. Particular The role of orthopedic correction, the use of functional appli-
intermaxillary elastics, such as rectangular, U-shaped, delta, V- ances, treatment timing, thumb and swallowing habit prob-
shaped, M-shaped and W-shaped, accordion, and Class II trian- lems, functional shifts, and Class III malocclusions are
gular, are shown in a separate chapter. Similarly described are among the other topics discussed. Chapter 4 deals with
extraoral elastic forces used in Class I, Class II, and Class III extraction mechanics, which usually involves closure of 14
headgear and a variety of Class III face masks and chincups. mm of space in both arches with carefully planned anchorage
In the chapter entitled “Rationale for elastic prescription,” control. Depending on the diagnosis, Class I malocclusions
the author discusses how to prescribe elastics, taking into con- are treated by using either maximum, moderate, or minimum
sideration vertical, transverse, and sagittal dimensions and anchorage conditions. The teeth most commonly extracted in
relationships. In many texts, the precise placement of elastics, Class II treatment are all 4 first premolars, maxillary first and
indications and contraindications, elastic types, force values, mandibular second premolars, or only maxillary first premo-
and side effects are either largely omitted or only casually lars. Extraction treatment of Class III malocclusion, on the
debated. This uniquely formatted “all you ever wanted to other hand, entails maximum anchorage conditions for the
know about elastics and their clinical application in orthodon- maxillary incisors in virtually all cases. The chapter on reten-
tics” volume should adequately fill that void. Orthodontists tion describes removable and fixed retainers and discusses
and orthodontic residents should benefit from reviewing this posttreatment changes that tend to occur.
well-referenced and beautifully reproduced book. In the chapter on orthognathic surgery, the author and Vic-
tor S. Dietz describe various surgical procedures. Before
Alex Jacobson
surgery, general principles to consider are age, the orthodontic
0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/8/113291
phase and its timing, surgery risks, diagnostic considerations,
doi:10.1067/mod.2001.113291
and cephalometric evaluations. Presurgical treatment planning
on models and the presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical phases
Bidimensional technique theory and of treatment are briefly described. A case report of a female
practice patient with a hyperdivergent Class III malocclusion is shown.
The success rates of the various surgical procedures are briefly
Anthony A. Gianelly reviewed toward the end of the chapter. In the concluding chap-
GAC International, 185 Oval Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722-1402; ter on adult orthodontics, Roger Wise reviews some of the many
256 pages challenges associated with the treatment of adult patients.
The numerous color photographs and illustrations in this
The introductory chapter of this book emphasizes the book are superb. The cases selected to illustrate specific treat-
fundamental need to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan ment procedures are excellent, as are the records. The text is
to determine whether to follow an extraction or nonextraction clearly written and the illustrated treatment sequences are
treatment plan. Traditional factors, such as lower arch crowd- almost self-explanatory. This book should be of immense
ing, bite depth, and facial pattern, are used to reach a deci- value to those who wish to learn more about the rationale and
sion. To demonstrate the application of these principles, 5 biomechanics of the bidimensional technique.
selected cases are described.
Alex Jacobson
The bidimensional technique described in chapter 2 is an
0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/8/113293
edgewise technique that uses brackets of 2 dimensions in the
doi:10.1067/mod.2001.113293
same arch—a smaller bracket slot (.018 × .025-in) on the
incisors and a larger bracket (.022 × .028-in) on the posterior THESIS ABSTRACTS
teeth. In addition to the prescription archwire slots, all the
brackets have vertical slots. Because precise bracket place- The role of MSX1 mutation in the
ment is important, an indirect bonding procedure is recom-
mended and described. The rationale for the bidimensional
etiology of hypodontia
technique is explained, as are various individual or group Brian Charles Reising, BA, DDS
tooth movements that are accomplished with the use of slid- Graduate School, Ohio State University
ing mechanics and uprighting springs when indicated. Lower
incisor torque control, central to both extraction and nonex- The homeobox-containing genes play a critical role in cell
traction Class II cases, is shown. differentiation during the earliest stages of embryogenesis.
