Isolated bilateral zygomatic arch fracture; an unusal case

Zygomatic fractures are the most common facial fractures or second in frequency after the nasal fractures. The high incidence of zygomatic fractures probably relates to its prominent position in the facial skeleton hence it is frequently exposed to fractures. This case report presents an isolated bilateral zygomatic arch fracture that was been reduced by Gille's temporal approach and stabilized using foley's balloon catheter. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to reduce the morbities

Etiology and pattern of swellings in mandible and maxilla

To determine the etiology and pattern of swellings in the mandible and maxilla. A descriptive study. This study was conducted at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dept, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Rawalpindi for two years from December 2004 to December 2006. Three hundred and fifty patients with swellings in the jaws reporting to AFID were included in this study. After history, clinical examination and radiographic evaluation, patients were registered. All patients whether admitted to hospital or treated as outdoor patients in oral surgery clinic were included. Swelling of the parotid region, nasal and para nasal sinuses and neck were not included. In majority 131 [37.42%] the patients were of age between 21 to 30 years [mean 25.5 years]. Males were affected more than females with ratio 1.3:1. The most common swellings found were inflammatory which accounted for 138 cases [39.42%] due to odontogenic reasons i.e. caries and non vital teeth. The most frequent site involved was mandible which accounted for 202 cases [57.71%]. In 111 cases [31.71%] the treatment modality used was incision and drainage followed by antibiotics. Caries and non-vital teeth were cause of the most common inflammatory swellings. The predominant site of swellings was the mandible. Every person must visit a dentist for oral examination six monthly so that early lesions in mandible and maxilla can be detected and treated more conservatively

Oral cancer - are the dentists doing enough for its prevention and early diagnosis? - a study

The aim of this study was to determine whether and to what extent the dental profession is helping in the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancers. Data were collected by distributing self administered questionnaires among two hundred randomly selected dentists of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to know what role they play in the prevention and early diagnosis of this deadly disease. More than half [52%] of the dentists did not ask or asked rarely about the use of tobacco, alcohol and other risk factors and only about a third [34%] advised and helped their patients to quit these habits. Only 22% of the dentists regularly examined the entire oral mucosa of all their patients and even fewer [12%] considered the possibility and then searched for a coincidental oral cancer. Only about 06% took biopsies of suspicious lesions regularly. The findings of this study indicate that the dentists of this region need to do a lot more for the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer