Oral Disease and Oral Cancer
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Oral mucosal disease involves the soft tissues of the mouth including the lips, gums, cheek, tongue, palate and even the salivary glands. These oral lesions can present in the mouth as swellings, white or red patches or even as ulcers and can be a manifestation of systemic conditions.
It is important to have these lesions examined by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon as some of these lesions may also be cancerous. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform biopsies of these lesions if they appear suspicious and will also be involved in the treatment of such diseases.
Oral cancer is a deadly disease of the face, mouth and jaws. Its diagnosis and management is by a multi-disciplinary team involving the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, maxillofacial prosthodontist and restorative dentist, speech and swallowing therapist, and dietitian.
The patient with oral cancer will be seen at the Dental Oral Cancer Clinic for diagnosis and treatment planning and follow-up to ensure the patient has a good quality of life after treatment.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon is involved in the surgical treatment of cancer resection and reconstruction and helps in the oral rehabilitation of function of chewing and swallowing with dental implants, together with the maxillofacial prosthodontist. The patient is also being followed up for any future dental and oral related problems.
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