C/ir~mi Mater/a/s 1987; 2: 313

Roukt JF 1987: Degradation of dental polymers. New York: S. Karger Publishers. 228~~. 183 ill. $96.00

The back cover of the book suggests that it pro- vides a description of the state of the art of dental composites with a special focus on wear. This provides a fair insight into the book’s content. The title, however, suggests degradation in a wider sense and yet there are only a few pages devoted to degradation arising from pathways other than various wear mechanisms. Perhaps the volume could have been titled to give a better indication of its contents. Having said this, the book does offer a ‘very extensive coverage of dental polymers and composites and the problems of wear as- sociated with such systems.

The chapter on polymer constructions used in restorative dentistry is very well researched giving a useful historical context to present systems and an in-depth discussion of the chemistry and phys- ical properties of dental polymers. The chapter also contains a wealth of information on different fillers in composite materials, as well as coupling agents and curing systems.

The chapters devoted to wear are equally exten- sive. In discussing the development of appropriate measuring devices for quantifying wear, the ap- proach is a little blinkered, for example, there is no mention of holographic techniques. There is an excellent chapter on wear in vivo and through- out the book reference is ,made to clinical practice and implications.

Overall, this is a very good book which should be. invaluable to both researcher and clinician alike. Dental students will also find the book of use for their studies of dental materials. Reviewed by Dr R Smith, Department of Materials, Queen Mary College, University of London, UK.

Proceedings for the International Confereme, Trends in Human Biochemics Research and Appli- cations in Medicine and Surgery, Riga, 12-45 Sep- tember 1986. Volume 1. Ministry of Health, Lat- vian SSR. 675~~.

F have read a few of the papers presented. There is the usual range of papers at such a conference. Some are general reviews, some very modest contributions to specific points. Only specialists in each will be able to determine the utility of the specific contributions.

The range of aspects and organs studied is very wide. Only a few will be of interest to any one group of workers.

The book is photoprinted, the paper is poor and much of the print hard to read.

I would be tempted to write to the authors of any papers of special interest for reprints rather than either work through the book or have it translated. Any papers not in English have abstracts in English. Reviewed by Professor A Kennaway, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, UK.