viii Prologue

saking the traditions and essential aspects of the past. The text represents the boldness and judgment of a single individual. It comes at a time when research in oral diseases has reached a new and elevated degree of sophistication. Regardless of the fact that the field of implantology has been the object of unremitting controversy and that he is unquestionably an easy man to disagree with, he has opposed unyielding rigidity in thinking and his contributions are vigorous and unique. He has chal-

lenged not only the established policies but even his own preconceived opinions. His is a form of empiricism restrained by reason. It permits the discordant facts to sing for themselves.

This book is the most profound treatise of its kind to date and represents a tremendous effort to place the various aspects of this fragmented discipline in their proper relationship.

I salute the author.

Jerome M. Schweitzer, B.S., D.D.S.