OMHNA

The head and neck cancer specialists at OMHNA care for patients with complex tumors and malignancies of the head and neck region. All patients are presented at our multidisciplinary tumor board which consists of head and neck surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists allowing for a comprehensive treatment plan.

With both medical and dental degrees, our OMHNA head and neck cancer team is well versed in the maxillofacial reconstruction of complex cancer patients. Our surgeons utilize cutting-edge technology including virtual planning in executing reconstructive procedures for head and neck cancer patients. Our cancer team has a strong dedication to helping patients maintain the best possible quality of life during and after treatment. If you are a head and neck cancer patient visit our Oral Cancer Institute site for additional information.

Oral/oropharyngeal cancer is one of the more common cancers worldwide. Early diagnosis is very important as cancer that is diagnosed and treated at an early stage tends to have a more favorable outcome and a higher likelihood of being cured. A yearly checkup with your dentist is the best method of identifying an early oral cancer. Treatment can compromise one of multiple of the following modalities – surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy. With regards to oral cancer, these cancers tend to be best managed with surgery first and subsequently with radiation and or chemoradiation depending on the pathological findings of the cancer.

As part of their treatment planning all patients are presented at our multidisciplinary tumor board. Tumor board consists of head and neck surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists allowing for a comprehensive treatment plan.

An integral part of the treatment of oral cancer with surgery is the reconstruction. Our OMHNA surgeons have undergone extensive training in the removal and reconstruction of head and neck cancer. With both medical and dental degrees, our OMHNA head and neck cancer team is well versed in the maxillofacial reconstruction of complex cancer patients. They also integrate the newest techniques such as sentinel lymph node biopsy to treat your cancer with the most update methods. Our cancer team has a strong dedication to helping patients maintain the best possible quality of life during and after treatment. Please contact us to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our OMHNA providers.

Visit our Oral Cancer Institute website for additional information.

Our surgeons perform sentinel lymph node biopsies, which may be an alternative to a selective neck dissection for cancers of the oral cavity. The biopsy allows for sampling lymph nodes in the neck to check if there is cancerous spread in them. The procedure is usually shorter than a traditional neck dissection and uses smaller incisions. Ask your OMHNA surgeon if you are candidate for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Oro-pharyngeal cancer is one of the more common cancers worldwide. It is occurring with greater frequency now largely due to the human papilloma virus (HPV). Early diagnosis is very important as cancer that is diagnosed and treated at an early stage tends to have a more favorable outcome and a higher likelihood of being cured. A yearly checkup with your dentist or physician is the best method of identifying an early cancer. Additionally a lump in the neck may sometimes be the first sign of an oropharyngeal cancer. Other symptoms may include a sore throat or difficulty swallowing. Treatment can compromise one of multiple of the following modalities including robotic surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy.

All patients are presented at our multidisciplinary tumor board, which consists of head and neck surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists allowing for a comprehensive treatment plan. If you suspect or have been diagnosed with an oro-pharyngeal cancer contact us to make an appointment for consultation with one of our OMHNA providers.

Visit our Oral Cancer Institute website for additional information.

Benign tumors of the head and neck may involve any part of the face, neck, or jaws and vary in etiology. Many of these tumors will require a needle aspiration or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, although some may be diagnosed on imaging. Treatment varies depending on the histology and location. Our OMHNA surgeons have completed extensive fellowship training in the field of head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstruction, and are well versed in the treatment of head and neck tumors and tumors of the jaws.

Depending on the type of benign tumor involved, treatment may vary from enucleation and curettage (or scraping out the tumor) to removing a section of the jaw bone. Similarly treatment options for odontogenic cysts of the jaws also depend on the histology or type. Our OMHNA surgeons will discuss with you your different treatment options so that you can make the best choice that suits your needs.

Some of the more commonly treated cysts and tumors include

• • Ameloblastoma
  • Myxoma
  • Odontogenic
  • Keratocyst
  • Central Giant Cell tumors

As defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, reconstruction is the process of rebuilding after being destroyed or damaged. Head and neck conditions such as tumors – both benign and malignant, trauma, infection, congenital problems, and degenerative disease processes can result in defects that require reconstruction. Reconstructive surgery can vary from minor to major surgical procedures depending on the extent of the defect.

Tissue used to reconstruct can be obtained regionally from areas such as the scalp, neck, or chest, or distantly from the back, upper, or lower extremity via vasucularized free flaps. A vascularized free flap is essentially tissue borrowed from somewhere else in the body with its feeding vessels to reconstruct defects in the head and neck area. The vessels from the free flap are connected to vessels in the neck and thus maintaining the blood flow to this newly borrowed tissue.

The Fibula Jaw in a Day surgery has revolutionized the way we think about reconstruction of the jaws. OMHNA surgeons pioneered the development of this technique and were only the second group after New York University to perform and publish on this innovative technique.

This technique allows for removal of a jaw tumor and reconstruction with a new jaw and teeth in one setting, a process that takes 6-18 months using the traditional approach. Thus the patient goes in to the operating room with teeth prior to the tumor removal and leaves the operating room with teeth and a new jaw.

Talk to your OMHNA surgeon to see if you are a candidate for this procedure.

Salivary glands are the glands that generate saliva or “spit.” Saliva is important for lubrication for chewing and swallowing, aiding digestion, and protection of the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity. The salivary glands consist of three large paired glands – parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Additionally there are hundreds to thousands of small, unnamed minor salivary glands that are found throughout the mouth.

Diseases of the salivary glands can vary from blocked ducts, to benign or malignant tumors of the salivary glands. Diseases affecting the salivary glands can be diagnosed on clinical exam but some require investigations with CT or MRI imaging and tissue sampling through needle aspiration or biopsy depending on the location. Of greater relevance are parotid gland tumors because the facial nerve the controls the movement of the muscles of facial expression passes through the gland. Surgery requires meticulous removal to avoid injury to this nerve.

If you have been diagnosed with a salivary gland lesion, talk to one of our OMHNA providers about your treatment options.

If you have a malignancy of the salivary glands, visit our Oral Cancer Institute website for additional information.

Our office is located on the Advocate Illinois Masonic Campus which is a Level I Trauma Center. Our surgeons have trained at some of the busiest trauma centers in the country and have an extensive experience in the management facial trauma patients. With both medical and dental degrees, our OMHNA surgeons are well versed in the treatment of complex maxillofacial trauma.

If you have sustained a facial fracture or soft tissue injury, request an appointment with one of our OMHNA surgeons for a consultation.

Jaw deformities are a common condition, ranging from mild abnormalities to more severe deformities. These deformities can lead to problems with speaking, chewing, swallowing, breathing, and in some instances, temporomandibular joint issues. These jaw deformities can exist in the upper or lower jaw or both. Orthognathic surgery is a jaw corrective surgery that not only aligns teeth but also can greatly improve facial aesthetics and harmony.

Orthognathic surgery is completed using state of the art technology. Dental models and facial bone scans are converted into a computerized 3D virtual model. Then, a virtual surgery is performed to obtain most functional and aesthetic surgical outcome. The computer aided virtual planning ensures precise results.

If you are a candidate for corrective jaw surgery, our OMHNA surgeons will work closely with your orthodontist during your treatment.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are very common, affecting over 10 million people in the United States. You can develop TMJ disorder for many reasons including: clenching and grinding of teeth, tightening jaw muscles, stress, trauma, arthritis, and jaw deformities. TMJ disorders can result in misaligned bite, pain, clicking of the TMJ, or difficulty with opening mouth.

There are various treatment options that can help alleviate symptoms. Our doctors at OHMNA will use state of the art technology to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. Treatments can range from simple jaw exercises and medications to TMJ arthroscopic procedures and more advanced custom fabricated total joint replacement.

Congenital craniofacial conditions are numerous but the most frequently encountered is cleft lip and palate. This congenital condition can result in isolated involvement of the lip, or palate or can occur as a combination of cleft lip and palate together. The treatment for this involves numerous surgeries and multiple health care providers from different specialties. Our OMHNA surgeons will work with you and your child as you journey through this pathway. We also treat conditions such as craniosyntosis, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher-Collins Syndrome, as well as a multitude of other congenital craniofacial conditions. Please contact us to arrange an appointment so we can discuss your individualized care plan.

Obstructive sleep apnea results from partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep. This leads to fragmented sleep as well as causing harmful effects on your heart, blood pressure, mental health, and ability to lose weight. Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea is under-diagnosed. Once diagnosed a sleep medicine physician will guide you through the non-surgical and surgical treatment options available to treat your obstructive sleep apnea.

Surgery may be of benefit for these patients who fail or do not wish to use C-PAP therapy. Multiple surgeries are available to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea but currently the medical literature shows that maxillomandibular advancement have the highest rates of success in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Maxillomandibular advancement is therefore a powerful surgery in treating those who want to maximize the chance of a successful treatment of their obstructive sleep apnea.

Please contact us to arrange your consultation with one of our OMHNA providers.

Bone grafting may be required to address defects in a patient’s jaw (Also see section on reconstruction – Link here). Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density. Minor bone grafting may be used to augment the bone in the upper and lower jaws in preparation for dental implants. Major bone grafting is used for reconstruction of larger defects resulting from tumors, trauma, or other defects. Cadaveric bone “Bottle Bone” or your own bone maybe used for the reconstruction depending on the extent of the defects.

Talk to one of your OMHNA providers about your options for bone grafting.

Nerve injury can occur as a result of: trauma, removal of an impacted wisdom tooth, jaw infection, jaw corrective surgery and surgery related to jaw tumor. These injuries can be as minor as bruising of the nerve, which can result in temporary loss of feeling that may heal over time. Sometimes, either partial or complete loss of sensation may be permanent. In these instances, the nerve injury may require more attention, and can be managed either by non-surgical methods or by surgical repair of the nerve. We use most the up-to-date surgical techniques to repair the nerve either primarily or by using a nerve graft.

Our office provides sedation for in office procedures to ensure that you are comfortable during procedure. Talk to your OMHNA surgeons about your sedation options for your procedure. If scheduled for a sedation procedure make sure not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to the procedure. Since patients can’t drive home after sedations, a companion must accompany you for the visit.

Wisdom teeth start to erupt through the gums during late teenage years to early 20s. In many instances, wisdom teeth may not fully erupt and remain impacted underneath the gums. In these cases, the impacted wisdom teeth may have to be removed during young adulthood before issues start arising with the impacted teeth. Majority of the time these teeth have to be removed surgically by trimming surrounding bone and cutting the tooth in a few pieces.

Many patients prefer to be a sleep during removal of impacted wisdom teeth. We offer sophisticated, safe, and effective anesthesia services in the office to deliver a more comfortable experience. Safety is our top priority during anesthesia and we have highly trained staff to ensure that safe anesthesia care is provided.

We also specialize in other procedures which included exposure of unerupted teeth, removal of supernumerary teeth, and other jaw lesions.

Dental implants are small titanium screws that are inserted in the jaw bone in areas of missing teeth. After they are inserted, these implants have an artificial tooth attached to them. Dental implants are an excellent solution for many people who have permanently lost a single tooth, multiple teeth or those who use dentures. These implants can help improve a patient’s quality of life by restoring normal function of chewing, speaking, and biting. They mimic the roots of natural teeth and prevent progressive bone loss and shrinkage of your jaw bone. Implants can be used to retain a single tooth, multiple teeth or dentures.

In order to successfully place an implant, one may require additional procedures including:

• Tooth socket preservation
• Alveolar ridge augmentation with allogenic or autogenic bone
• Maxillary sinus bone grafting

In cases of severe bone loss and shrinkage of alveolar bone in the upper jaw, we can consider placing zygomatic implants. These are implants that anchor to the cheek bone and can provide a great alternative for stable denture restoration.

OMHNA surgeons will collaborate closely with your dentist or prosthodontist to provide seamless care.