The Book

Currently, there is no dedicated source on the subject and the information available can be found in various chapters of textbooks, journal articles etc. However a systematic, thorough and basic/applied approach is lacking, resulting in a disturbance of the effort of postgraduate students and clinicians to approach a unique source for their educational, clinical and academic needs. In addition, most of the existing material lacks the required validity and substantiation, since they are limited to anecdotal evidence, with a notable shortage of a blend of evidence-based approach and extensive clinical experience. We were fortunate in our effort to provide a thorough and substantiated piece of information of the topic, to have the assistance of leading scholars and clinicians from 6 countries across 3 continents.

The book systematically analyzes the interaction of the two specialty entities from both, scientific and clinical perspectives. It includes an introductory section where fundamentals of oral physiology with relation to orthodontic-periodontic interactions are analyzed, including bone biology in adult patients, basics of oral microbiota attachment and pellicle organization on materials. The subsequent section on periodontal considerations of the orthodontic patient entails aspects of gingiva recession and grafting, periodontal examination of the orthodontic patient, clinical attachment level and orthodontic-  periodontic effects ofr expansion, surgical crown lengthening and ectopic canine eruption.

The last section on orthodontic considerations in periodontic patient treatment lists chapters on the biomechanics in compromised periodontal tissues, forced eruption as well principles of orthodontic treatment of periodontic patients. The evidence provided in the book and the case series which portray the adjunct role of each specialty in the treatment planning of patients with periodontal or orthodontic needs, furnish important theoretical and clinical information as well as practical guidelines to improve the quality of the outcome of therapeutic protocols involving ortho-perio interventions. Thus, the book not only acts as a reference book on the topic, but most importantly, includes substantiated guidelines and validated treatment approaches, which aid the practicing clinical to produce a direct and immediate effect on individualized treatment planning.

It may be worth noting that the book as a topic was conceived 6 years ago and the first agreement with the publisher was made in 2012 with an additional editor, the late Dr. Vincent G. Kokich, who was instrumental in developing the scope of the text and undertook the contribution of several chapters. With his sudden and tragic passing, the project had to be re-formed and chapters were assigned to leading clinicians and academics in the field. The editors, who was fortunate to get acquainted with his brilliant clinical expertise and visionary academic and research service, return only a fragment of the debt they owe him for the collaboration they enjoyed by acknowledging his legendary path in the field.

Theodore Eliades

Christos Katsaros