This indispensable, up-to-date reference guide makes sense of modern dental care's complexities, providing you with the information you need about what to expect--and demand--of the care that you and your family receive from your dentist. With one book you can now research every aspect of prevention, disease, and treatment, from standard to cutting-edge, from brushing your teeth to undergoing oral surgery. Topics covered include anatomy, routine care, dental visits and payment, orthodontics, cosmetic procedures, alternative and state-of-the-art therapies, emergencies and controversies, the future of dentistry, and much more. A glossary of terms and appendixes listing dental schools and associations complete the text. Over two dozen professors of dentistry from Columbia University have collaborated to produce a definitive reference book that will help you make informed, responsible decisions about the oral health of your family and yourself.