Several studies to predict dental caries among target age cohort especially children were undertaken due to the special histological features of the enamel of deciduous teeth, which are much thinner than permanent teeth and pulps are relatively large. Thus, the prediction and early diagnosis of the incipient lesion in primary enamel is of particular importance and potentially crucial in order to develop a new technology which constitute an accurate estimate of caries including its depth.

A number of associated variable were tested during caries longitudinal studies. These include: dmf, DMFS, dietary bacteriological factors, salivary buffer capacity, flow rate, pH, secretor status, and medication as well as the effect of psychosocial variables in relation to set prediction model for caries risk.

Commonly used clinical methods for detection and quantification of caries are inadequate for reliable diagnosis and often too late for intervention. Therefore, new methods of early detection and prediction being developed, i.e. optical, laser, ultraviolet, light scattering ultrasonic, and the promising computer based image processing.
Saudi Dental Journal 1994;6(SI)-Abstr.041:p45

Every practicing dentist will encounter several medical emergencies during their career. The expansion of dental care to many chronically ill patients, an aging population and increased use of over the counter prescription medications have all magnified the scope of this potential problem. The consequences of a mishandled situation can be devastating to a clinician and his/her practice.

The majority of these medical emergencies can be prevented or anticipated. Most of the rest can be minimized with prompt recognition and appropriate treatment. The key to a successful management is proper preparation of the office and staff as well as an organized response.

This presentation will focus on the basic elements vital to coping with the topic of medical emergencies in the dental office: prevention, preparation and treatment. Important considerations from the patient's medical history to staff training will be reviewed. A generic protocol for the management of emergencies will be offered, with emphasis upon basic supportive measures applicable to any situation encountered. Guidelines for compiling a practical office emergency kit will be given. Suggestions will be made as to how every practitioner can maintain and update their knowledge regarding this potentially life threatening issue.
Saudi Dental Journal 1994;6(SI)-Abstr.042:p46

Dental treatment planning is the procedure, or series of procedures, necessary to restore a diseased condition to a more desirable state of health.

Collection of data is the first order of business. This includes taking a history, both medical and dental, identifying the chief complaint, clinical exam, radiographic exam, and possibly laboratory tests, mounted study models, or consultations with other doctors. The purpose is to formulate a diagnosis, visualization of the effect of a given treatment, the prognosis, and treatment options. The resulting treatment plan is then discussed with the patient to ensure that patient and doctor are working together toward a common end results.

Extensive and complicated treatment plans are often set up in phases, with an evaluation between each phase. The basic goal of Phase I treatment is to get the mouth as healthy as possible, as quickly as possible, by treating infections, acute periodontal disease, and caries, plus proper home hygiene compliance.

After re-evaluation of improvement, the treatment plan is reviewed and modified as needed. Additional phases of treatment may include definitive periodontal care, occlusal equilibrations, re-establishment of correct vertical, fixed or removable prostheses, aesthetic considerations, and any other modalities agreed upon by the patient and the doctor.

The treatment plan is never finalized, hence the need for constant re-evaluation and review. To get from Riyadh to Damascus you need a map. The treatment plan is your map from the "State of Disease" to the "State of Health". Without it, you may get lost and everyone will be unhappy.
Saudi Dental Journal 1994;6(SI)-Abstr.043:p47

Clefts of the lip and palate are the commonest craniofacial malformations in children. Sucking is impaired in infants born with complete clefts of the lip and palate. Feeding obturator improves feeding resulting in weight gain and thriving, a state of health required before surgical repair of the defects. A dentist may be required to fabricate the obturator. A simplified method for constructing the appliance is presented. The severity of these clefts varies so much that stock trays are not always useful for the impressions of the infant's maxillary arch. A preliminary impression is taken carrying the reversible impression material with the index and middle fingers. A model is produced from which a special tray is constructed. The final maxillary impression is taken with an irreversible hydrocolloid with child placed on slightly upright chair. An obturator is constructed by sprinkling soft autopolymerizing acrylic resin into the defects and extending well into the mucobuccal fold area on the stone model. The cured appliance is trimmed and polished ready for insertion.
Saudi Dental Journal 1994;6(SI)-Abstr.044:p48

A successful prosthesis depends upon the accurate reproduction of the dimensions and relationships of the patient's soft and hard tissues. Attention given to the process of developing the cast is a prerequisite for creation of a well fitting prosthesis. An implant supported prosthesis is no exception. The superstructure for a fixed or removable implant prosthesis is fabricated on a master cast usually poured in Type IV dental stone. The accuracy and stability of this cast play an important role in clinical acceptability of the prosthesis. An accurate recording of implant fixture relationships to one another and to the residual oral tissue is mandatory.

One of the potential sources of error in fabricating the master cast is the expansion of gypsum stone upon setting. The cast may introduce error if it does not faithfully reproduce the actual implant fixture relationships to one another and to the surrounding tissues. The casting may then fit the cast but not the mouth.

The recently introduced Zeiser System and the DVA Model & Die System address these problems. They are designed to compensate for linear expansion of the stone cast.

This study compares the accuracy of casts made using the DVA Model & Die System and those made by conventional techniques. This was done by fabricating an implant prosthesis framework on a master model and evaluating its accuracy of fit on these two groups of casts.
Saudi Dental Journal 1994;6(SI)-Abstr.045:p49