DENTAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY SERVICES
Overview
The department of Dental Surgery at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre is a perfect amalgation for routine Dental procedures and advanced cancer care using the best of techniques and machinery along with professional expertise .
Why Should a Cancer Patient Undergo Dental Evaluation?
We help a cancer patient in preparing them specifically their mouth for the upcoming treatment by providing oral health care & prophylactic treatment for saving and strengthening the existing dentition. We use standardized acceptable guidelines to augment patient care especially those undergoing surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Dental intervention is required for patients who are undergoing:
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy to the Head & Neck
- Chemotherapy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy
Treatment Associated with Dental Interventions
Prior to Surgery – Oral/Dental care
- Clinical evaluation along with screening and biopsy
- Impressions are taken to prepare the study cast for the fabrication of temporary prosthesis.
Post-surgery – Dental rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an essential part of cancer care. The primary objective is the restoration of appearance and function.
- Dental Implants – in Free Fibula Flap
To provide the functional and cosmetic outcome to the patient, Dental Implants were placed in the avascular free fibular bone graft. Further crowns will be placed on it.
- Reconstructive removable prosthesis
Maxillary Obturators: It is to restore the physical separation between the oral and nasal cavities, thereby restoring speech and swallowing to normal and to provide support to the lip and cheek.
- Mandibular guiding appliances:
Prior to Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer
- Dental extraction: Extract the teeth in the radiation field that are non-restorable or may pose a future problem.
- Brachytherapy molds: Certain patients require internal radiation for cancers of hard palate. Dental molds need to be made which help the treating radiation oncologist to deliver adequate and localized dose to the tumor.
- Fluoride treatment: In order to prevent tooth demineralization and decay of teeth
Post Radiotherapy: Dental Care
- Dental rehabilitation with severe caries after radiation: Full mouth fixed prosthesis in cases where a tooth gets decayed after radiotherapy.
- Osteoradionecrosis (ORN): it is a complication where irradiated bone is exposed and undergoes necrosis. However it can be avoided, if adequate preventive oral measures are taken.
- Dental guard: the presence of sharp cusps and restorations may cause trauma to the irradiated soft tissues. This can be avoidable by smooth silicon based dental guard.
Prior To Chemotherapy/ Bone Marrow Transplant:
Patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk of fungal as well as bacterial infection. It is necessary to eliminate any area of infection or irritation, such as fractured restorations, advanced carious lesions, pulpal or periapical involvement, periodontal inflammation, pericoronitis, or ill-fitting prostheses.
Post Chemotherapy
Bronj: patients who received bisphosphonate treatment are at risk of Bronj. It as an area where bone gets exposed in the maxillofacial region for more than eight weeks in patients who was receiving or received a Bisphosphonate treatment.