Book review

This book aims to provide information on all of the skeletal anchorage devices and techniques that are currently applicable to the treatment of Class II cases. It features contributions from 96 authors from across the world, including a large number of the best known names in the clinical application of orthodontic bone anchorage, and hence contains a lot of well-written and accurate information. The book is structured in nine sections containing a total of 52 relatively short chapters. Section I sets the ‘conventional’ scene with two chapters outlining the background and biomechanics of conventional anchorage systems used in Class II cases. In reality these two chapters may read better as a single amalgamated one, with more critical analysis (and references) of the anchorage limitations of both headgear and TPAs, and the mechanics and side-effects of the large variety of Class II correctors/distalisers mentioned. UK readers, familiar with Twin Block (removable) functional appliances will also view their unfavourable comparison with other Class II correctors as clinically inaccurate in terms of the exaggerated treatment times described, and under-emphasis of the lower incisor tipping produced by fixed functionals. However, the reader will still be able to discern the clear message that all non-compliance distalisers lose anchorage…… unless bone anchorage is added.