Treatment FAQ

what do maxillofacial prosthodontists do pre and post cancer treatment

by Prof. Nedra O'Conner DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Objective: A patient with oral cancer receives prosthesis, which can help them achieve optimum esthetic, function and form through total oral rehabilitation. Maxillofacial Prosthodontists (MFPs) plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancer patients from the preliminary stage of treatment planning.

Full Answer

What is a maxillofacial prosthodontist?

Maxillofacial prosthodontists are accustomed to working cooperatively with ENTs, oral surgeons, general and specialty dentists, plastic surgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, speech pathologists, anaplastologists (medical artists that create facial prostheses), and various other ancillary personnel.

How can the dentist help patients with cancer?

Introducing good oral home care and more frequent oral prophylaxis visits to the dentists before radiotherapy will allow for continuing care during and after therapy. The cancer patient who is to receive or has received curative doses of radiation to the head and neck cancer presents a challenge for the dentist.

What type of training do Prosthodontists have?

Additional training for prosthodontists is earned through a hospital – or university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association . The training includes reviews of the literature, lectures, treatment of patients and laboratory experience in fabricating restorations. Some of the services prosthodontists offer includes:

Do cancer treatments affect your teeth?

Many people who have been treated for cancer develop problems with their mouth or teeth. Some problems go away after treatment. Others last a long time, while some may never go away. Some problems may develop months or years after your treatment has ended.

What is maxillofacial prosthetic procedure?

Overview. Maxillofacial prosthetics is a branch of dentistry that deals with congenital and acquired defects of the head and neck. Maxillofacial prosthetics integrates parts of multiple disciplines including head and neck oncology, congenital malformation, plastic surgery, speech, and other related disciplines.

What does an oral oncologist do?

What Is a Dental Oncologist? Oncology is the specialty of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Most cancer patients will experience oral side effects; this is why a dental oncologist is part of the health care team responsible for treating cancer patients.

Does MD Anderson treat oral cancer?

The mouth is an important part of eating, breathing and talking, and MD Anderson takes special care to customize your oral cancer treatment so that we maximize the chances of cure while minimizing the impact on your body and lifestyle.

Can chemo patients see a dentist?

You need to see the dentist at least two weeks before your chemotherapy begins. If you have already started chemotherapy and didn't go to a dentist, see one as soon as possible. You should also see a dentist as recommended or needed during and after treatment.

Who is an oral pathologist?

Oral pathology is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, including oral cancer. Pathologists are involved in all areas of disease management including research, diagnosis, examination and treatment.

Can I become oncologist after BDS?

No, you can not pursue oncology.

Does oral cancer spread quickly?

Most oral cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to spread quickly. Smoking and other tobacco use are linked to most cases of oral cancer. Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk for oral cancer.

What is the survival rate of oral cancer?

Survival rates for oral and oropharyngeal cancer vary widely depending on the original location and the extent of the disease. In the United States, the overall 5-year survival rate for people with oral or oropharyngeal cancer is 67%. The 5-year survival rate for Black people is 51%, and for White people, it is 69%.

What is the best treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma?

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) currently is treated largely by surgery and/or irradiation, although few unequivocal controlled trials of treatment modalities have been conducted.

Should you get your teeth cleaned while on chemo?

Necessary dental treatment and proper oral hygiene prior to, during, and after cancer treatments can reduce the incidence and severity of these oral complications. Why the concern? Oral complications from chemotherapy can seriously compromise patient health and quality of life.

Can chemo destroy your teeth?

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.

Why do my teeth hurt after chemo?

Chemotherapy can affect your teeth and other places in your mouth. Although chemo effectively kills cancer cells, it may also harm or kill healthy cells. If the chemotherapy medicines harm cells in your mouth such as your teeth, gums, or saliva glands, side effects can include: Painful teeth or gums.

What is maxillofacial prosthetics?

Maxillofacial Prosthetics is a branch of prosthodontics that involves rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities that were present when born or developed due to disease or trauma. Prostheses are often needed to replace missing areas of bone or tissue and restore oral functions such as swallowing, speech, ...

Why do we need prostheses?

Prostheses are often needed to replace missing areas of bone or tissue and restore oral functions such as swallowing, speech , and chewing. In other instances, a prosthesis for the face or body may be indicated for cosmetic and psychosocial reasons.

What is maxillofacial prosthodontics?

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics is concerned with the rehabilitation of patients with congenital or acquired defects in the mouth or face. Congenital defects usually relate to cleft lip and palate. Acquired defects usually are due to cancer of the mouth or face and due to neurological defects such as stroke. The prosthesis fabricated tends ...

Where are prostheses typically found?

They are typically in the mouth and may include prosthesis such as Obturators, Speech bulbs, Palatal lifts, Palatal augmentation device to name a few; however this branch also includes facial prosthesis like eye, ear, nose, facial, and other body parts like fingers, hands etc.

Abstract

Objective: A patient with oral cancer receives prosthesis, which can help them achieve optimum esthetic, function and form through total oral rehabilitation. Maxillofacial Prosthodontists (MFPs) plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancer patients from the preliminary stage of treatment planning.

Introduction

Oral cancer is one of the major health problems. 2.5 lakhs new patients are diagnosed in India alone of whom about three-fourths are in an advanced stage [1]. Worldwide, it is considered to be the fifth most common cancer with the seventh highest cancer mortality [2].

Patients prospectus & fear

Patients are generally referred to dental professionals later for many reasons like teeth replacement, sharp teeth filing, dental/jaw related pain management, etc. Many a time’s patients with oral cancer are unaware of the advances in prosthetics therapy eg.

Why to refer patients to MFP

MFP’s is a key element in identifying the two striking problems, one with general health and other oral health related issues of HNC patients that he/she often comes across in their clinic.

When to refer

There is a continuing debate on preference or involvement of MFP for rehabilitation of patients who have undergone resection of head and neck tumors. The choice lies into the hands of the surgeons primarily to approach the restorative dentists to contribute their skills in reconstruction and rehabilitation of HNC patients.

Scope

Maxillofacial prosthodontics as a profession has far improved with the advent of improving material science, osseointegrated implant therapy, CAD-CAM technology and rapid prototyping technics.

How can a prosthodontist help you?

How a Prosthodontist Can Help. You may need the care of a prosthodontist if you: Are missing a number of teeth. Are interested in dental implants. Think your teeth show signs of extreme wear . Wear dentures or removable partial dentures that you are not happy with. Want to enhance the aesthetics of your smile.

What is the training for a prosthodontist?

Additional training for prosthodontists is earned through a hospital – or university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association . The training includes reviews of the literature, lectures, treatment of patients and laboratory experience in fabricating restorations.

What is the specialty of a dentist that restores the appearance of your teeth?

Prosthodontics. A prosthodontist is the dental specialist uniquely qualified to restore the appearance of your smile and help you regain the optimum function and appearance of your teeth after dental disease or surgery. A prosthodontist: Specializes in the aesthetic restoration and replacement of teeth and function.

What is the mission of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics?

American Academy of. Maxillofacial Prosthetics. The mission of the AAMP is to promote education and research and advocate for care of the maxillofacial patient.

When is the AAMP meeting?

AAMP Events and Courses of Interest. The Annual Meeting is typically held in October or November. Our program consists of a three-day Scientific Session, Poster Session and Elective Workshops.

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