Dental cancer is the second most common type of malignant cancer after skin cancer. The incidence of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been steadily growing, especially in the younger population. People with fair skin and light hair, blue or green eyes, a history of sunburns, or whose parents or grandparents had melanoma are at higher risk, but anyone can be affected. Know your oral rehabilitation options with PEEK framework.
PEEK framework after Cancer Jaw Surgery is important for patients who need dental rehabilitation after oral cancer treatment. Cancer surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy may affect teeth, gums, jawbone support, chewing, speech, and smile appearance, so the right prosthetic framework should be planned after proper clinical evaluation.
In fact, nearly 200,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States alone; that’s more than throat cancer and many other types of oral disease combined! Fortunately, early detection and treatment increases your chances for full recovery. Here you will find everything you need to know about dental rehabilitation following an operation for oral cancer.
Who Is This Blog For?
This blog on the PEEK framework after cancer jaw surgery is for patients recovering from oral cancer treatment who need to understand their dental rehabilitation options. It is especially useful for those who have lost one or more teeth due to cancer therapy and are exploring prosthetic solutions like PEEK frameworks, dentures, or implants. It is also relevant for caregivers and family members trying to understand the multidisciplinary care team involved, from oral surgeons to periodontists. And for anyone unsure when to start the rehabilitation process, this blog offers guidance on timing decisions during and after cancer treatment.
What is Dental Rehabilitation?
Dental rehabilitation is the process of restoring a patient’s dental health and function following cancer therapy. Cancer treatments, both radiation and chemotherapy, can damage the teeth and gums, including the jawbone. Dental rehabilitation is the process of restoring oral health and function, so a person can eat, speak, and smile with confidence following cancer therapy. Dental Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary effort that includes several healthcare providers, including a dentist, a dental specialist, an oral surgeon, a speech-language pathologist, and a nutritionist. It may include the use of removable dental appliances such as a removable partial denture, a removable dental bridge, or a set of removable dentures to replace teeth lost during cancer treatment.
Why do you need Dental Rehabilitation?
As we’ve discussed above, dental rehabilitation is something you should seriously consider if you’ve been diagnosed with oral cancer. You should do this even if you’ve only had one or two teeth removed, as you will likely need a denture or some other form of dental prosthetic to replace those teeth. And if you’ve had more teeth removed, you may need one or two implants as well. In other words, dental rehabilitation is a must if you’ve had cancer on your mouth. The sooner you start the rehabilitation process, the easier it will be.
Waiting until you’ve finished all your cancer treatments could lead to difficult decisions about your future dental health. Dental rehabilitation is not just about restoring your teeth to their former health and appearance. It is also about improving your oral health, preventing future oral diseases, and maintaining your self-confidence.
Timing of Dental Rehabilitation
The sooner you start the dental rehabilitation process, the better your outcome will be. Ideally, you should start the process before your cancer treatment begins, although this is rarely possible or necessary. If you have not yet started treatment, you will have your dentist fill out a dental care plan that will tell you how you need to take care of your mouth before, during, and after cancer treatment. If you are in the middle of cancer treatment, then you should start exploring dental rehabilitation options with your dentist. You will likely need to wait until you’ve finished your cancer treatments before you can get any dental work done, which means that you should start looking into dental rehabilitation sooner rather than later.
Your Guide to Dental Rehabilitation
Before we dive into the specifics of dental rehabilitation, it is important to note that the process can be overwhelming. Dental rehabilitation is a complicated endeavor, and you will likely be advised to look for a team of specialists to help you. Keep in mind that not all specialists may be up to speed with the needs of cancer patients. Below, you’ll find a list of the specialists you will likely encounter during the dental rehabilitation process and the roles they play.
- Dentist: The dentist is your main contact for dental rehabilitation. They will likely be one of the first people you meet, and they will be the one who does the bulk of the work.
- Oral surgeon: The oral surgeon is the specialist who removes teeth and performs the work needed to place dental implants. They collaborate closely with the dentist as well as a periodontist (your dentist will refer you to a periodontist if necessary).
- Periodontist: Your dentist will likely refer you to a periodontist if you need additional dental work, such as root canal therapy or gum surgery.
Conclusion
Dental rehabilitation is often required following cancer therapy, and it is important to start the process as soon as possible after your diagnosis. The sooner you start, the better your outcome will be. While dental rehabilitation can be stressful and confusing, you do not need to go through the process alone. Your dental team is there to help you every step of the way and will do everything in their power to make the process as painless and easy as possible for you. During the process, you will likely have to make some difficult decisions about your dental health and appearance. However, remember that dental rehabilitation is not just about restoring your teeth to their former health and appearance. It is also about improving your oral health, preventing future oral diseases, and maintaining your self-confidence.
FAQs
1. What is a PEEK framework after cancer jaw surgery?
A PEEK framework is a lightweight prosthetic support structure that may be used in dental rehabilitation after cancer jaw surgery. It can help support replacement teeth or prosthetic solutions when patients have lost teeth, jawbone support, or oral function after cancer treatment.
2. Why is dental rehabilitation needed after oral cancer surgery?
Dental rehabilitation may be needed because cancer surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can affect teeth, gums, jawbone, speech, chewing, and smile appearance. Rehabilitation helps patients restore oral function, improve comfort, and regain confidence after treatment.
3. Who can consider a PEEK framework after cancer jaw surgery?
Patients who have undergone oral cancer surgery and have missing teeth, jawbone changes, difficulty chewing, or difficulty wearing regular dentures may be evaluated for a PEEK framework. The final option depends on the patient’s cancer treatment history, oral condition, scans, healing, and medical fitness.
4. Can dental implants be used after cancer jaw surgery?
Dental implants may be considered in selected cases after cancer jaw surgery, but they require careful planning. The dentist or oral surgeon must check jawbone condition, radiation history, healing response, gum health, and overall medical condition before deciding whether implants are suitable.
5. When should dental rehabilitation start after cancer treatment?
Dental rehabilitation should be discussed as early as possible, sometimes even before cancer treatment begins. In many cases, the final dental work may be planned after surgery, healing, or completion of cancer therapy, depending on the patient’s condition and the oncology team’s advice.
6. Which specialists are involved in rehabilitation after cancer jaw surgery?
Rehabilitation after cancer jaw surgery may involve a dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, prosthodontist, periodontist, speech-language therapist, nutritionist, and oncology team. A team approach helps patients manage chewing, speech, appearance, nutrition, and long-term oral health.
7. Is a PEEK framework suitable for every cancer surgery patient?
No, a PEEK framework may not be suitable for every patient. Suitability depends on the type of cancer surgery, remaining bone and soft tissue support, mouth opening, healing, radiation history, oral hygiene, medical condition, and the patient’s comfort with the prosthesis.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
