Book review

I have been listening to, and reading John Bennett, the teacher, for nearly 25 years and I never cease to be impressed. His latest contribution to the literature is a simple publication which solely aims to clarify the process of bracket selection. It takes one evening to read and easily achieves its objective.

The publication is divided into 11, easy digestible chapters, from the basic requirements of an orthodontic bracket, through the aspects of in-out, rotational, vertical and torque considerations. A concise chapter is devoted to each of these aspects of bracket design. Throughout the book there is repetition of the basic points, over and over again. This reiteration is, however, to be praised as, having worked through the text, the reader cannot fail to understand the logic of Dr Bennett's approach.

He discusses the current myths and misconceptions in contemporary orthodontics, particularly those surrounding the dark art of self-ligation. He then goes on to discuss why size matters, and why friction doesn't! All the reasons why self-ligation brackets don't actually straighten the teeth, at least to the same high standard as the twin Siamese tie wing bracket, are clearly and logically presented.