Masters of Functional Orthodontics

Edited by:
  • A. Levrini &
  • L. Favero
(Eds) Surrey: Quintessence, 2003 price £136, pp 416 ISBN 1850970769 | ISBN: 1-850-97076-9

This is an amazing book on how functional appliances have evolved, starting with Hippocrates (460-377 BC). Well known fathers of orthodontics and dento-facial orthopaedics are all mentioned in various detail. Even those with no interest in history will be fascinated to learn how various components such as chin cups, expansion plates and a variety of functional appliances have been developed and by whom. The first chapter describes all these in suitable detail right up to the present time.

The second chapter deals with concepts of functional therapy and it is a chapter well illustrated with portraits and sketches of various appliances and the masters who developed them. Each of the pioneers and ideas for functional treatment are described in just enough detail to keep any orthodontist interested. This theme is very much duplicated in subsequent chapters, leading overall to a marvellous compilation of the history of functional orthodontics. The book is not a critique; it is an historical account. Subjects are always more interesting if there is an historical background attached and I feel this is one of the most splendid books of dental history I have read.

I suspect there may be a limited market, probably restricted to orthodontists and maybe then only teaching institutions. It would be a text treasured on a personal basis, but I wonder if, with the pressures on postgraduates for publishing and reading, they may not find the time to fully grasp the enormity of the task undertaken by the authors when compiling this account.

I enjoyed reading this book and would like to see it available to orthodontists in any teaching institution.