Repairing Missing Bone with Grafts

When you are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, you are faced with a few options. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, you may not have very many. The choices may be to remove the affected areas or to leave them (which can just encourage the spread of the disease). Removal of parts of the mouth can be a very difficult choice to make, especially when your ability to speak, chew, or swallow correctly can be impacted.

These changes can be hard to adjust to, which is why we offer options to repair the jaw bone after parts of it must be removed. Healing is easier when you are moving back toward feeling and looking “whole” again. Keep reading to learn more about our jaw surgery procedure and how we can help you overcome difficult diagnoses.

Jaw Bone Pain

Signs of oral cancer may include lumps on the roof of your mouth, or along the jawline. They may be the only signs you notice, though you may also notice jaw bone pain, swelling, or difficulty eating. Cancer is easiest to treat when it is found in early stages, and we recommend seeing your dentist on a regular basis to get cancer screenings with your normal cleanings. This is especially crucial for those individuals who smoke or use chewing tobacco.

Removal

Many times, there is a need to remove bone that is affected by the cancer. This is key in preventing the spread of the disease, though it can be a difficult call to make. Thankfully, we are able to help you repair the area so you can recover and go back to a more normal life.

Bone Transfer

If, due to cancer or other disease, parts of the mandible area must be removed, we can help restore your normal mouth function. Bone grafts can truly be life-changing if your ability to chew, swallow, or speak normally is affected by the loss of bone in your mouth.

We can utilize bone grafts from parts of the mouth, knee, or hip to help restore the loss of bone. Depending on your specific situation, we can discuss what would work best and recommend treatment options.

Call us today at (954) 771-8772 to schedule a consultation about the possibility of bone grafts to help restore the look and functionality of your mouth today.