A 13-year-old Saudi female was referred to our clinic with a gunshot wound to the mandible. On examination, the patient had a lacerated wound over the chin, through and through wound of the right hand, and a wound in the philtrum of the upper lip. She complained of inability to open her mouth and dysphagia. Teeth # 42, 41, 31, 32, and 11 were missing. A big sublingual hematoma was associated with a laceration of the dorsum of the tongue. A deviation to the right side was evident upon opening and occlusion was disturbed. Radiographic examination showed a comminuted fracture of the symphysis extending to the right para- symphyseal region. Pellets were scattered in the upper and lower lip and at the fracture site. Visible separated bony fragments were removed under local anesthesia. After the edema subsided, the patient was then taken to the operating room where most of the pellets were removed and debridement of the area was carried out. Upper and lower arch bars were applied, and IMF performed.
Saudi Dental Journal 1992;4(SI)-Abstr.66:p67.

The prognosis of complete denture prosthesis has been attributed to anatomical, mechanical, psychological and physiological (neuromuscular co­ordination) factors. According to several studies, the ability of an edentulous patient to adapt to a complete denture prosthesis depends to a great extent on the neuro- muscular co-ordination. The neuromuscular co-ordination can be effectively evaluated by a simple tactile-kinesthetic discriminative clinical test called stereognosis.

This study involves the recognition of objects of different shapes placed in the mouth without visual aid within a specific period of time. The scores or index so obtained indicates the neuromuscular co-ordination status of a subject. In this study 10 objects of different shapes were used as test material for identification. Subjects with high score: ability to identify maximum number of objects, had problems of adaption to a prosthesis and were less satisfied. Thus, this simple clinical test could be used to determine the prognosis of complete denture prosthesis.
Saudi Dental Journal 1992;4(SI)-Abstr.67:p68.

One of the most important functions of the anterior teeth is esthetics. Emergency replacement of anterior teeth after traumatic injury is often necessary. This table clinic will demonstrate the fabrication of an immediate bridge that can be made in one visit using light cure composite resins to bond the modified natural tooth as elements of a fixed prosthesis. Construction of the bridge takes approximately 30 minutes.
Saudi Dental Journal 1992;4(SI)-Abstr.68:p69.

In this article, a new type of obturator is constructed. The obturator for maxillofacial cases is a closed pulp that closes a fenestration or a cavity resulting from the surgical removal of the maxilla. This type of obturator is made of all heat-cured acrylic pulp attached to the metallic denture part from the fitting surface that resembles the normal contour of the palate.

In the old method, self-curing material was used which resulted in:

Heat-cured acrylic resin is much stronger than self-cured acrylic resin, and therefore, this new method could eliminate the above disadvantages, obtaining a very strong union between the denture and the obturator which makes the appliance last longer.
Saudi Dental Journal 1992;4(SI)-Abstr.69:p70.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of low-energy soft therapeutic laser as a mean of prophylaxis and treatment for post-operative complications following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar.

Edema, degree of trismus, pain and socket healing were evaluated post­operatively. Collected data were tabulated, computed, and then statistical analysis was carried out.