Article
The concept of facial aesthetics and, in particular, attractiveness is a fundamental one to dentistry in general and is also of special interest to the orthodontist. A desire to improve a perceived level of attractiveness is often a prime motivator in someone choosing to seek treatment. The subject matter of this book is therefore likely to be of some interest to clinicians from a wide range of dental specialties.
Although I found the front cover a little uninspiring; the book opens with a fascinating look at the historical background to this topic and demonstrates how the concept of beauty has occupied the minds of great thinkers and writers from Plato to Shakespeare. The author looks in some detail at how the classical canons in this area have evolved and been shaped by modern anthropometry and scientific advances to inform our current practice. The historical illustrations are superb and really help bring the subject matter to life.
The clinical diagnosis section of the book is logically organized and well presented, starting with general information, and continuing through the clinical interview and potential diagnostic record procedures. A detailed and regional descriptive approach is taken to cover evaluation of various areas of the face. The level of detail covered here is admirable, although it may also mean that the chapters are of most interest to those with a special interest in the field. The final two chapters, however, covering smile and dentogingival aesthetics, are likely to be of most interest to the non-specialist.
Overall, this book is a thorough and well researched work which is a welcome and thoughtful addition to the dental literature. It is likely to be particularly valued by readers looking for a reliable and informative reference resource in this subject area.