Book Review
Sturdevant’s Art and Science of
Operative Dentistry
Editors: Harald O. Heymann, Edward J. Swift, Jr. Andre V. Ritter
Adaptation Editor: V. Gopikrishna
Edition: South Asian Edition
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 978-81-312-3402-0
From 1968 onwards, Sturdevant’s Art & Science of Operative
Dentistry has been the foundational textbook in the field
of Operative Dentistry. The South Asian Edition of this
classic is the latest update in the ever-expanding realms of
dental literature. The textbook is adapted and co-edited by
V.Gopikrishna, a renowned academician and a researcher
with numerous publications to his credit in journals of
repute. His passion and flair for teaching are very evident in
his earlier projects titled “Pre-clinical Manual of Conservative
Dentistry – 1st ed” and the much sought after textbook on
Endodontics, “Grossman’s Endodontic Practice – 12th ed”.
It is very thoughtful of Elsevier, to bring out a South
Asian edition for the benefit of the students in our sub-
continent as well other Asian countries. The South Asian
edition of Sturdevant’s Operative Dentistry has 27 chapters
adapted from the Sturdevant’s 6th International edition.
The chapters have been methodically revised and adapted
to conform to the prescribed curriculum of Universities
in Asia. While the presentation, print, font, color plates,
charts and tables are on par with the international edition,
the spirit and essence of this edition is well adapted to the
Asian academic community.
Highlights of this book:
• Chapters those are available as online only topics in the
6th international edition have been included into the
Asian edition of the textbook itself. This makes it a
complete and single point study tool.
• A welcome addition of pertinent topics in the form
of three new chapters namely: “Non-carious lesions and
their management”, “Restoring contacts and contour”, and
“Dentin hypersensitivity” make this a comprehensive yet
concise textbook.
• Classifications have been newly incorporated for
pertinent topics like Amalgam, matrixes, dentin
bonding agents to name a few.
• “Clinical notes” boxes have been added which are
the ‘key learning points’ in that section. This would
help a student both in understanding the theoretical
concepts better as well as guiding a student in its
clinical application.
• Addition of flow charts that explain key mechanisms
of action like demin-remin cycle, acid etching, dentin
480 Journal of Conservative Dentistry | Sep-Oct 2013 | Vol 16 | Issue 5
bonding etc.
• Key clinical procedures like amalgam, composites
and inlay restorations have been presented in a “Step
wise method” that makes it easier for a student to
comprehend, remember and execute.
• The language and style of writing is lucid for easy
reading and comprehension.
• Three chapters of academic interest for postgraduate
students have been kept as online chapters for
additional study.
• The contents of chapters are listed as sub headings
with the page numbers for easy reference. A brief
summary of each chapter is found in the end as a
synopsis.
• This edition is being offered to students at a very
affordable price.
In my opinion, this textbook will be an indispensable
textbook for both undergraduate and postgraduate
students. Moreover, it could serve as a valuable adjunct to
the private practitioners of conservative dentistry also. I
am sure this book will be received well amongst the Asian
dental student population.
The golden rule of Pierre Cabanis (1757-1808) namely “Read
little , See Much, Do Much” is very much applicable for the
study of “Art and Science of Operative Dentistry”, where
in the dentist should both have good cognition along with
trained psychomotor skills.
A Parameswaran
Former Principal, Government Dental College, Chennai, India
Email: param1809@gmail.com
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How to cite this article: Parameswaran A. Sturdevant's Art and
Science of Operative Dentistry. J Conserv Dent 2013;16:480.