Whey There's No Test for HPV Oral Cancers

The rise of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers and the Center for Disease Control’s recent declaration that boys should get vaccinated, as well as girls, has made the public aware of another potential risk to their health. The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are ready to help people undergoing treatments for oral pathogens. However, there is not yet any effective way of testing specifically for HPV mouth and throat cancers.

HPV is very common, and usually harmless. While it is possible to test for HPV in a person’s mouth, only 1 percent of HPV infections become cancerous, while 80 percent of American adults are expected to have HPV at some point. Furthermore, the oropharynx is too far back to be easily observed with the tools used to detect cancers of the mouth, which are much more common, and the tissues of the throat are so creviced that scraping a small portion of them would be unlikely to catch cancerous cells even if they are present.

The best way of detecting oropharynx cancers is with visual and tactile examinations. These won’t find anything until after cancer has progressed, but they do often catch cancer in time to treat it effectively. They also may not identify HPV particularly as the cause, but doctors and patients are learning what to look out for.

 Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania performs oral biopsies.. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Thank You for Your Reviews!

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our staff appreciates feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Sherisse for this five-star review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"From the moment we walked in the door the staff was very welcoming. Also, like so many times at other physicians’ offices, we didn't have to wait forever to be seen but only about 10 minutes. Thank you for that, I have a really bad back so sitting for a long time is very painful. The nurse who took my X-rays and blood pressure was very hospitable as well as informing. The doctor was very professional yet friendly and caring. The person with regard to payment and cost for future work was very professional and kind and we so appreciated the doctor's kindness in giving us a break on the cost for the day and the future visit. Once we know that we have obtained the monies for the procedure we will call for an appointment. Again, thank you.” –Sherrisse 

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Implants and Oral Hygiene

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want to remind you that caring for teeth restored with dental implants is just like caring for your natural teeth. It’s important to brush, floss and maintain regular dental cleanings and checkups as scheduled. While replacement teeth can’t get cavities, they are subject to the same wear-and-tear as natural teeth. It is up to you to properly care for your dental implants, therefore, the next time you brush them you should utilize these tips.

• Start with the outer and inner surfaces, and brush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget your back teeth!


• Move on to the chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth along these surfaces.


• Once you get to the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush.


• Be sure to brush your teeth gently along the gum line and don’t forget to floss!


• If you have further questions about maintaining your dental implant care routine, make sure to speak with your dentist.

 

Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

What is Peri-Implantitis?

We at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are proud of the implant work we do. Endosteal implants have a 95% success rate, and have improved millions of peoples’ lives. Sometimes, however, even the best kind of procedure can be done badly or be compromised later. Peri-implantitis is the inflammation of gum tissue around an implant, and is the most common reason for implant failure.

Peri-implantitis sometimes occurs soon after an artificial crown is placed because the dental cement leaked or wasn’t placed properly and settled on the gum tissue. Often, however, it is the result periodontal disease, which may have also destroyed the original tooth. Early on, either problem can be fixed through rigorous oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. However, if periodontal disease is allowed to set in, surgery may be required.

Implants depend on successful fusion with the jaw bone. (“Endosteal” refers to the outermost layer of a bone.) If the location of the fusion is damaged, the implant may fall out or need to be removed. Patients can avoid implant failure if they maintain all the hygienic practices which are used to avoid normal periodontal disease, but sometimes this is difficult for patients with compromised dexterity, such as those with Parkinson’s disease. If the gum around your implant is inflamed, seek help; don’t wait for it to go away on its own. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

HPV and Oral Cancers

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania conduct procedures meant to do everything from relieving patients’ pain to saving their lives. While the rate of new cancer diagnoses in the United States has fallen in recent years, the rate of new oral cancer cases has remained the same, or, by some estimates, risen. Researchers believe this is because the human papilloma virus (HPV) has overtaken nicotine products as the main causative factor, and the public must learn a whole new way of thinking about oral cancers.

There are hundreds of strains of HPV, most of which are harmless and the body is able to fight off without experiencing any symptoms. There are at least nine, however, which cause cancer, and one which causes cancer in the oropharyngeal area. This is the soft palate and back of the throat, which patients usually don’t or can’t check on themselves, and oral cancers with HPV DNA are often painless until they reach an advanced stage.

Besides sneaking up on people, HPV-related oral cancers tend to strike people who are much younger than most nicotine-related oral cancer patients. The most vulnerable group is men between thirty and fifty. HPV-related oral cancers are easier than others to treat if they are caught early, but many people do not know they are at risk. There is no test for oral HPV itself; we strongly urge people who are sexually active to get screened for oral cancers regularly.

Drs. Ramin Braham and Brad Richman operate the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Pediatric Tooth Extraction

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, pediatric tooth extraction may be suggested if your child has teeth that are potentially problematic, cannot be restored, or are not necessary to restore. Additionally, tiny teeth may need to be extracted for orthodontic treatment. Your child may be frightened about the procedure itself, but it is our promise to make him or her as comfortable as possible.

Prior to the surgery, one of our doctors will take an X-ray of the patient’s mouth. The X-ray allows the doctor to determine the severity of the tooth’s damage. If it’s been determined that a tooth cannot be repaired, you will need to schedule an appointment for extraction. Once sedation options are discussed, one of our doctors will use the appropriate tools to extract the tooth. When the procedure is complete, it is critical that your child obeys post-op instructions such as changing the gauze when necessary and feasting on only soft foods for the first 24 hours.

If you have questions about pediatric tooth extraction, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Decayed Wisdom Teeth

As we age, we acquire wisdom, and the same goes for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-21 and are known as the third set of molars. When they erupt correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chomp your food a little faster.  However, if they start to cause you pain and discomfort, you may need to schedule a consultation with the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to discuss extraction.

If you bite on a piece of food that is too hard or you experience a mouth injury, wisdom teeth may become troublesome. They can also become cracked, broken, and decayed. Decay can form on any tooth surface, but when the decay begins to attack the wisdom teeth, depending on the position of the tooth it becomes difficult to clean. If the wisdom tooth cannot be adequately maintained, recurrent decay can occur. Though many patients tend to procrastinate through the process, extraction is always best to avoid infection.

If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you have questions about removal, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.