Teaching operative dentistry, our practice the principles and techniques presented in a clinical setting and engage in clinical or laboratory research. Thus the restorative concepts presented here are supported by both clinical activity and research results. The editors express special appreciation to the following and we’ll give some examples from:
Warren McCollum, Director of the Learning Resources Center of the UNC School of Dentistry, and his staff for their diligence in production of illustrations. Marie Roberts, Paulette Pauley, and Shannon Veccia
for their capable assistance in manuscript preparation. In particular, a special thanks is extended to Ms. Roberts for her vital role in organizing the revision effort and communicating with the publisher. Drs. Roger Barton, Tom Lundeen, Ken May, Troy Sluder, Lee Sockwell, Doug Strickland, Cliff Sturdevant, Duane Taylor, and Van Haywood, who, while inactive in this edition, have provided information still present in the fourth edition. We are grateful for their past contributions. Penny Rudolph and Kimberly Alvis at Harcourt Health Sciences for their constant support, encouragement, and expertise during the revision process. Their guidance and ideas provided increased professional appeal for the book, both in its appearance and its content.
Operative dentistry is the art and science of the diagnosis,treatment, and prognosis of defects of teeth that do not require full coverage restorations for correction. Such treatment should result in the restoration of proper tooth form, function, and esthetics while maintaining the physiologic integrity of the teeth in harmonious relationship with the adjacent hard and soft tissues, all of which should enhance the general health and welfare of the patient. Although you can learn the theory of operative dentistry in lectures or through presentations at online colleges, there are elements that require extensive clinical practice and laboratory time. However, this does not apply for the predentistry requirements or supplemental operative dentistry learning.
Although operative dentistry was once considered to be the entirety of the clinical practice of dentistry, today many of the areas previously included under operative dentistry have become specialty areas. As information increased and the need for other complex treatments was recognized, areas such as endodontics, prosthodontics, and orthodontics became dental specialties. However, operative dentistry is still recognized as the foundation of dentistry and the base from which most other aspects of dentistry evolved.