Dental Oncology And Maxillofacial Prosthetics Specialist

What is dental oncology?

Dental oncology is the branch of dentistry focused on the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and other destructive diseases. 

If you notice any potential symptoms of oral cancer, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek a diagnosis right away. Signs to look for include:

• Cold sores or canker sores that don’t heal
• Loose adult teeth
• White or bright red patches in your mouth
• Growths or lumps in your mouth
• Pain in your mouth that might extend up to your ears

When you come to Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore with symptoms such as these, especially if a lesion is involved, an oral pathologist promptly takes a biopsy of the affected tissue. 

They send it to the lab for testing and view enlarged slides to meticulously evaluate it and find the cause. They may also use the VELscope® advanced oral assessment system for a comprehensive view of your oral tissues.

If tests reveal oral cancer, the team also evaluates the bone health in your jaw to make sure it can withstand radiation treatment. 

Either way, they create a personalized treatment strategy to give you the best chance at recovery or remission and minimize your chances of osteonecrosis, or bone disintegration.

What are maxillofacial prosthetics?

Maxillofacial prosthetics is the branch of prosthodontic dentistry that focuses on rebuilding or restoring the structure of your jaw and teeth, which is often required after treatment for oral cancer and similar diseases that affect your face. 

A maxillofacial prosthetics specialist requires one additional year of fellowship training with a focus on treating patients who have acquired and congenital defects of the head and neck region due to cancer, surgery, trauma, and birth defects.

The team at Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore manages and treats medically compromised patients who are undergoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or head and neck surgery due to oncologic disease. 

In addition, they are trained in all phases of hospital dental oncology, and offer comprehensive patient care for pediatric cancers, bone marrow and stem cell transplants, hematogenous and solid tumors, and oral and pharyngeal cancers.

The team at Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore uses several types of maxillofacial prosthetics to restore or reinforce your facial structure and your teeth. You might need:

• Stem cell transplants
• Bone grafts
• Dental implants
• Dentures

When successfully integrated, maxillofacial prosthetics restore your jaw’s strength so you can continue eating and speaking even after you recover from your condition and your dental work.

Besides cancer, why might I need dental oncology and maxillofacial prosthetics?

Oral cancer is a major reason for needing maxillofacial prosthetics, but other diseases and conditions can require the same kind of care. 

The team at Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore may direct you to maxillofacial prosthetics and dental oncology treatments if you have or are recovering from:

• Birth defects (e.g. cleft palate)
• Pediatric cancer
• Hematogenous tumor
• Solid tumor
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Other cancers of the head or neck
• Head or neck surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• A traumatic injury

These conditions and treatments can severely impact the functioning and health of your facial structures. The best way to restore or improve them is with maxillofacial prosthetics from the skilled prosthodontists at Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore.

Book your appointment for dental oncology evaluation and maxillofacial prosthetics by phone or online at Advanced Implant Dentistry & MedSpa of North Shore today.