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Book Review
G. A. DuPont, L. J. DeBowes, Atlas of Dental Radiography in Dogs and Cats: A
Practical Guide to Techniques and Interpretation, Saunders, Elsevier, Missouri,
USA, 2009, ISBN -13: 978-1-4160-3386-8, 268 pp.; £64.99 (hard)
This is a very well written text book with comprehensive and detailed
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illustrations aimed at veterinary surgeons and students who have had little previous
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tuition on the subject of veterinary dental radiography and radiology. The book has
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good illustrations that are an excellent reference for anyone who takes dental
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radiographs to aid in diagnosing normal anatomy, as well as pathology. I would
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highly recommend the book for any small animal practice, whether taking dental
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radiographs routinely or not.
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The book is divided into four parts: an introduction, radiographic anatomy,
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radiographic evidence of pathology and obtaining diagnostic dental radiographs. The
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chapters are thorough and the authors are methodical and very detailed in their
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approach to illustrating the anatomy and pathology seen. The book is picture-based,
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with a photograph of the area being examined on a skull, a corresponding radiograph
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and then an annotated radiograph. In some cases, there is also a CT scan of the area,
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which is useful to create a 3-D impression of the area. In some sections, almost too
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much information is supplied and there is a degree of repetition.
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The radiographic anatomy chapters are useful in detailing the subtleties seen
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on radiographs. They also highlight normal anatomical areas that could be confused
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with pathology. The anatomy of the temporomandibular joint is also illustrated; this is
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possibly one of the best references on this subject available. The section on dental
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pathology covers a wide range of clinical problems and some examples have clinical
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photographs. Given the very visual appearance of the book, it would have been nice to
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have seen a few more clinical photographs to show the reader in what circumstances
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dental radiographs should be taken and also how the radiograph compares to what is
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seen clinically. The chapter on obtaining radiographs was a little disappointing.
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Whilst well illustrated, the explanations are inadequate and I would not rely wholly on
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this text book to learn how to take radiographs. The discussion on equipment is good
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and this is one of the only veterinary textbooks to discuss digital dental radiography.
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Overall, I would highly recommend this book at both undergraduate and
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postgraduate level. It appears to be good value for money, given the quantity and
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quality of the illustrations. The title perhaps does not reflect the context of the book,
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as there is definitely more emphasis on dental radiology rather than radiography.
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Lisa Milella
The Veterinary Dental Surgery
53 Parvis Road
Byfleet,
Surrey, KT14 7AA
UK
E-mail address: lisa@milella.fsnet.co.uk