Ancient illustration of the reduction of a dislocated mandible which appeared in one of the commentaries of Hippocrates written by the great physician, APOLLONIOS of Kition in Cyprus, in the 1st Century, B.C.

While the attendant holds the head of the seated patient, the surgeon thrusts his thumbs into the patient's mouth as his fingers grip the man under the chin. This firm hold enabled the surgeon to quickly force the mandible back into place.

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The reduction of mandibular dislocations is still accomplished in the same manner today as illustrated here. Fortunately, this accident is rarely sustained today. Until after world war I, however, dislocated mandibles frequently occurred during dental extractions and other procedures. Newer methods, anesthetics and instruments have all but eliminated this complication of dental manipulation.