prof. Dr. Dragoslav Đukanović

The book "ORAL IMPLANTOLOGY - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE" Dr. Blažo Zlopaša, 2018

During 2018, domestic dental literature was enriched by the appearance of a very significant part of Dr. Blaz Zlopaša: "ORAL IMPLANTOLOGY - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE". The whole matter in the book is systematically divided into 20 chapters. It should immediately be pointed out that from the many innovative titles of these chapters, one can see the originality of this work. In addition to always necessary chapters, such as: history of implantology, anatomy of the orofacial region, implant characteristics, indications and contraindications for the implant installation, and so on. They illuminate the most important problems of implantology, and there are some who are rarely processed, and they are very important.Such are: "Application of implants in developmental children and youth", "Smile return, safety and self-confidence by implanting", and in particular: "Talk with a colleague" and "Talk with the patient". This extraordinarily technically processed and printed book with over 600 pages of large format on high-quality paper contains hundreds of outstanding illustrations (diagrams, photographs, X-ray, diagrams, etc.), most of which are genuine, from personal ones, the archives and documentation of the author .

The author of this book is very well known, not only in Serbian and Yugoslav dental circles, but also wider. He is a pioneer of Serbian implantology, as well as implantology in the former Yugoslavia, and is also known for his work in a dental prosthetics. Many know him for his incessant energy, perseverance, pedantity, enthusiasm and uncompromisingness in solving many implantological and prosthetic problems. Dr. Blažo Zlopaša has the extraordinary power to perceive the essential facts and essence of the problem and the ability to find solutions for them. He has been constantly improving his entire life and the participant is countless congresses in the country and around the world. With his performances at various gatherings of the dentist, he unselfishly transferred his knowledge and experience. It should be noted, however, that during the 1970s and 1980s, it was far-sighted in front of established norms and attitudes. It was unfortunate that the auditorium, which he spoke, was not mature enough or informed about the novelties and attitudes he exhibited, and, unfortunately, he did not accept them! This book, as the author says, is a product of "work and experience logs", and undoubtedly knowledge. What is particularly admirable is that the author did not only show his successes, but also failures and mistakes. However, he has learned from the mistakes and, most importantly, in the book he gives solutions and suggestions to avoid and overcome such mistakes and failures. The author in the book also presents suggestions for proper work, as well as how not to work.He unselfishly reveals many fines in work that can greatly contribute to the ultimate success of the applied therapy. One of the important qualities of this book is that not only is a large number of patients treated, but the fact that these patients have been following for a very long period of time. This can rarely be found in dental literature. Also, the author offers solutions for complicated and complex cases in oral implantology and dental prosthetics. He points to the risks in such work and how to overcome them. Particular emphasis is given to the occurrence of complications, especially perimplantitis, and how to act in cases of their occurrence.

The book adorns comprehensiveness, and is based on biological principles, which points to the broad medical knowledge of the author. I think that all of us dentists should be grateful to the author who shared with us his enormous clinical experience, based on scientific and implantological principles. Dr. Blasi Zlopaši should acknowledge that he has the strength to cross the pervading path from the time when his colleagues did not understand his presentations, and to this day, when his multifaceted work was crowned with this remarkable book. However, the author does not consider this book as final and calls for a discussion on all the issues raised, in order to further enhance knowledge from this important branch of dentistry.

His extraordinary work can be at the same time a monograph and atlas in this field and certainly a significant contribution to dental practice. It should be read and studied carefully, not only by oral implants, but also by dentists of all profiles. In addition, it can be of great benefit to students of dental faculties who want to expand their knowledge. This book is truly unusual, big and significant work. The book differs from many others and by style and by the way of exposure to matter and from the template, and that is also its great value. The book is written in a beautiful language and style, which is often lacking in textbooks. Without exaggeration, I think this one of the best-written books in us from the domain of oral omplantology. It is especially important that the author descends frequently to the level of a regular dentist, and even the patient, and WHICH ANSWERES ALL ALL POSSIBLE QUESTIONS THAT MAY BECOME THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF ANY PATIENT. This book should have every dentist, regardless of specialty. I can say that twenty chapters are actually twenty books, making the book worthwhile and extremely incredible, because it is read easily, which allows the style in which the book is written. As already mentioned, the author's vast experience and experience has been translated into original text, which is confirmed by seven very positive reviews by our eminent and leading experts in this field, given at the beginning of the book.

 

Branislav Vidic, DS University Professor Georgetown University of Washington (Anatomy of the Head and Neck), New York Academy of Science, Academia Mediteraneo, Foreign Member

of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU)

ORAL IMPLATOLOGY - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

By a concurrence of events I had the opportunity, some time ago, to get acquainted with a capital work, the book by Dr. Blažo Zlopaša "Oral implantology - Principles and Practice". I studied at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Belgrade in the same generation as the author of the book. Before presenting my opinion about this publication, I shall briefly refer to the university days of the author of this book. We were students of the same generation and studied in the same class. The author of this valuable work, as an outstanding student of his generation, distinguished himself by his diligence, displaying his talent in both the practical course of study, and in writing about different topics within the programme of the Department of Prosthetics. At the time, the University of Belgrade fostered the activities of the so called “Scientific Youth”, and professors from various departments would look for outstanding students to provide them with mentor support  in writing about different topics within the framework of the respective department. All the faculties of the University of Belgrade were involved in this, and they sent their students’ written papers to the Rectorate under appropriate codes. I remember that the author of this valuable publication, "Oral Implantology - Principles and Practice", won awards on two occasions, receiving the first and the second prizes for his writing in those competitions at the University.

Scrolling through the pages of the text and the illustrations of this publication, the reader gradually acquires a more thorough understanding of the basic topic, grasping the profundity of the practical and educational significance of this written document, which at the same time provides an extraordinary basis as a textbook for the education of present and future generations of medical specialists. This publication, written in a distinctive and clear style presented in chapters and including different cases discussed from the theoretical and the practical aspect alike, facilitates medical specialists in acquiring a large volume of knowledge in the theoretical and practical area with more ease than in the case of many stereotype classical textbooks written in a dogmatic style. The confirmation supporting this view about this remarkable publication can be found in the chapter representing the author's monologue, which the author has entitled "A Conversation with a Colleague." I have to admit that I have never had an opportunity of reading such a unique transfer of knowledge in any other textbook before,  this being the result of decades of experience accumulated by the author. In view of its approach, this publication imposes itself as a valuable textbook for present and future generations, for those preparing themselves for the profession of medical specialists as well as for those who are already skilled in the field of oral surgery and oral implantology.

Clinical implantology has recently been included in therapeutic techniques in the treatment of masticatory disfunction. Dr. Zlopasa’s role in the initial development of this medical procedure, which has already been accepted and used, is clear, which is why he is well known beyond the borders of Yugoslavia, among those practicing oral surgery, as well as those who were among the first to apply oral implantology. At the time, many things were unknown in this area of oral medicine. The book by Dr. Zlopasa is a blend of science and practice. He presents a scientific discussion of the relationship between soft tissues and bio-inert material, providing a rich documentation in presenting the practical aspect. There is no doubt that appropriate masticatory correction by means of this method will significantly improve the quality of human life in general. Therefore, even the minimum contribution to the development of oral implant technology, as well as to the education of specialist physicians and the population at large about the importance of this procedure, is of global benefit. The book "Oral Implantology - Principles and Practice" synthesizes all the elements of this brief overview, and as far as the author of this uniquely conceived book is concerned, it would be appropriate to quote a line from the opus of our unforgettable literary genius, who wrote: “Blessed is he who creates, he had a reason to be born!”