Maxillofacial injuries in Makkah: a retrospective study of 500 cases

A retrospective study was performed on 500 patients with maxillofacialinjuries in Holy Makkah covering a period of 3 years. The incidence anddistribution during this period were analyzed with a special emphasis on Al-Haj time and Al-Omra seasons. Age and sex of the patients were presented. It was found that road traffic accidents were the most frequent cause. The types, severity of fractures, pattern of facial wounds, and otherassociated injuries were studied. Morbidity and mortality were included. Theanalyses of the results were presented and discussed

Condylar positions in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction

The significance of condylar positions at centric occlusion in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction has been a persistent controversy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a true correlation could be demonstrated between the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and the location of the condyle within the glenoid fossa by measuring TMJ spaces on lateral tomograms. The radiographic component of the study was completed in 36 women and 16 men allocated to 4 dysfunction groups [Helkimo clinical dysfunction index]. Statistical comparison between groups showed an almost equal distribution of abnormal joint spaces. Further, it was not possible to document a relationship between the condylar positions in the fossa and dysfunction symptoms

use of acid-etch technique to retain the crown of an impacted tooth to act as space maintainer

In this study, we used the acid etch technique to retain the extracted crown of an impacted tooth, reinforced by pins in the extracted crown and grooves in the abutment teeth, to act as a fixed space maintainer. This work was done on 20 patients aged from 10-13 years, and followed up to 24 months, the bond remained intact in all patients, except 2 patients, rebonding was done after 4 months of treatment

Computerized tomography in evaluation of maxillofacial injuries

Twenty patients with maxillofacial injuries were examined by conventional radiography and computerized tomography in axial and coronal sections. It was found that, in all treated cases, radiographic information gained by C.T. were very close to what was observed during surgical approach. C.T. was superior over conventional radiography in diagnosis of midfacial injuries, while conventional radiography was satisfactory for diagnosis of mandibular fractures

Immunosuppressive effect in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Using tissue culture techniques, peripheral blood lymphocytes [PBL], obtained from patients undergoing various types of oral and maxillofacial surgical operations, have been found to develop depressed immunological competence as reflected by their diminished ability, under maximal stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin, to incorporate 14 C thymidine and synthesise D.N.A. More important, however, was the observation that this biosynthetic defect was most severe in lymphocytes harvested from individuals of maxillofacial trauma with associated injuries and oral cancer. The clinical significance of this abnormality measured in vitro may be reflected by postoperative infection in case of multiple trauma, and the acceleration of metastasis which often takes place postoperatively in patients with carcinoma

Characteristics of impacted supernumeraries in premaxillary region: part I

In part I we demonstrate the characteristics of impacted supernumerary teeth in 40 patients. Supernumeraries were predominance in males. Oblique horizontal, inverted and normal in orientation. It was located mainly in the central incisor region 56%. Interference with normal dentition includes; delayed eruptin 34%, rotation 17%, bodily displacement 13.5%, also space loss, median diastema, cyst, root resorption, dilaceratin of the root, ectopic eruption and no abnormality. All cases were surgically removed after diagnosis, except one case we prefere to postpone its removal. In part 2 we are going to deal with the management of the impacted supernumeraries in premaxillary region