Contemporary Orthodontics e-dition: Text with Continually Updated Online Reference [Hardcover]

yes ,this book is a master piece, i recommended this book to all orthodontics and general practioner students.

I have read many reviews about this book, praising it for being the "bible" of orthodontics, but at the same time not recommending it for students as it is too complex or too comprehensive. I will give you my take on the matter:
Before 5th year (when we started studying Orthodontics) I was asking around, trying to see if I should buy this book (which is not required reading at our school), and nobody told me I should; they said I should stick to the books the ortho department at our school released. So I did, and boy was I paying the price; their text was horrible. I hated orthodontics and it puzzled me and frustrated me.
So for 6th year I decided to go ahead and buy this not so cheap book.
Now I'm smiling all the way.
This is probably the best textbook I own. The writing style is unbelievably clear and interesting, exciting and compelling! The authors really transmit their joy for the profession and they work WITH YOU to a better understanding of orthodontics from A to Z. There are no simple "fact quotations" here; the book is designed for students, as the authors keep reminding you WHY you should know certain things and what is less appropriate for students, and more fitting for residents. They try to make you feel involved by asking questions you might ask yourself and give you the answers using facts and logic, and they dispel common misconceptions mostly related to "logical thinking" which is documented to be irrelevant. On top of that, it is very comprehensive; you'll find everything you need in this one book. It is also richly illustrated. I adore this book.
I would say though that this text might not be the best "reference text", not because it lacks comprehensiveness, but because it doesn't have an encyclopedic approach to topics; you can't just pick a topic and get all the information regarding it in one section of the book (For example: angle class III malocclusion: the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment are not grouped together). Rather, the text is built like a story book, explaining orthodontics from the development of orthodontic problems (including background information regarding the development of the dental arches and maxillofacial complex), to diagnosis and treatment planning, the science of orthodontics, and then treatment, so the information is a little spread around. Maybe that's why it is less indicated by many for students; the best approach to it is reading it from start to finish, like a novel, and you need more time for that then usual (something that student have very little of). But(!) it is a pleasure to read; I promise.
I personally went through the information I missed last year, and I felt empowered by the information I absorbed (better late then never).
I will say that although this book features many(!) great photos, some photos (not a lot of them) are less than perfect: some have increased [visual] noise, making them seem grainy and a bit out of focus. Also, I found some mistakes at figure labeling (like I said in other reviews, this is a common finding in almost every textbook).
But these technical errors DO NOT detract from the quality of the book as a whole (as far as I'm concerned); the images are easy to understand and they definitely get the message across with fine style!
And with a text of this caliber, additional web information doesn't seem as necesary as with other books (of course every additional feature is welcomed, and I can't wait to see how the next edition of this text will look like).
So: do you need this book?
Well if you dread orthodontics, heard it's a hard topic or simply hate the current textbook you use, you can give it a try, even if you're "just a student"; it's well worth the money and it will offer you great service.
I wish all my books were as well written as this one; Congratulations to Dr. Proffit, Fields and Sarver!

Absolutely wonderful.
A true one-of-a-kind reference for all students and clinicians.
And its E-edition this book will deliver Orthodontics to you on a whole new level.
Buy it. NOW.