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.