ORAL MEDICINE

DEPARTMENT OF ORAL MEDICINE

The Department of Oral Medicine of the Instituto Português da Face focuses on observing, diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating all people who have lesions of the oral cavity. This area also includes adverse effects of drugs in the mouth and oral manifestations of systemic diseases.


Oral Medicine acts as a bridge between the various specialties of Medicine and Dental Medicine, with multidisciplinary and team work being essential.


At the Instituto Português da Face, we offer a multidisciplinary network in which several specialists work together to ensure that the patient is properly assisted, ensuring confidence and excellence. We take care to warn you about lesions of the tongue, mouth and lips, and aim to restore health to your mouth!

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ORAL MEDICINE TREATMENTS

The oral cavity, and the lips are lined with oral mucosa, which is the skin inside the mouth and lips.


The oral mucosa has the following main functions:

  • Coating and protection against external aggressors: bacteria, viruses and fungi
  • Physical integrity of the mouth
  • Saliva production through the salivary glands
  • Initiation of digestion
  • Tactile sensory function
  • Thermal sensory function
  • Taste sensory function


Within the oral mucosa itself there are 3 different mucosal subtypes: lining, chewing and specialized mucosa. Each subtype, with its characteristics and functions, is subject to different types of aggressions and diseases. These particularities are important for the diagnosis and treatment of mucosal diseases.

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DIAGNOSIS - CONTACT ENDOSCOPY

CONTACT ENDOSCOPY

Contact Endoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic technique for the oral mucosa. Through the contact of the endoscope with the mucosa, the doctor microscopically visualizes cells of the oral mucosa, blood vessels, minor salivary glands and microorganisms such as fungi. This enables the diagnosis of neoplasms, lesions in malignant transformation, inflammatory diseases of the mouth or oral candidiasis.


This technique it is also enables directing oral biopsies to the most suspicious site of an extensive lesion and to excisions of oral lesions with the most appropriate safety margins for each case, enabling truly personalized surgery for each patient.

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TREATMENT - LOW INTENSITY LASER

LOW INTENSITY LASER

Low Intensity Laser is a method of non-invasive treatment of the oral mucosa.


Low Intensity Laser has analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential, acting at the cellular level and promoting tissue regeneration. One of its main advantages is its immediate effect. The main indications for this treatment are:

  • Oral ulcers/thrush
  • Oral mucositis/inflammation caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome
  • Neuralgia
  • Postoperative paraesthesia of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Muscle contractures of facial muscles
  • Lip herpes
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ORAL MUCOSAL DISEASES

When treating these diseases, we must re-activate or preserve the important functions of this notable structure of our body which is the mouth: eating, hydrating, savouring, chewing, swallowing, smiling, laughing, talking and self-expression.


Did you know that some of these lesions of the oral mucosa could be the first sign of a more serious disease? Or that they could be potentially malignant? But if diagnosed and treated in time, this risk is minimized.


Some of these conditions, although benign, such as recurrent thrush, cause enormous discomfort in everyday life. But ... did you know that it is possible to increase your quality of life through some innovative treatments that we have at the Instituto Português da Face?

DISEASES OF THE ORAL MUCOSA CAN BE DIVIDED INTO: BENIGN DISEASES AND POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISEASES

BENIGN DISEASES

Benign diseases of the oral cavity have no potential to develop into cancer. However, although benign, they cause enormous discomfort in everyday life because people feel:


  • Ache
  • Nuisance
  • They cannot feed themselves
  • They find it difficult to chew and swallow food
  • Burning
  • Dry mouth
  • Fissures and wounds on the tongue
  • Bite injuries (tongue, cheeks and lips)
  • Ulcerations and blisters
  • Difficulty in speaking, smiling or laughing
  • Decreased quality of life


But ... did you know that it is possible to relieve these symptoms and increase your quality of life through some innovative treatments that we have at the Instituto Português da Face?


Within the benign diseases of the oral cavity, tongue and lips, there is an enormous diversity of diseases. Let's talk a little about the most common ones and how we can help you!

BENIGN MOUTH DISEASES

POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISEASES

WHAT ARE POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT ORAL DISEASES?

  • > ANSWER

    These are defined as diseases of the oral mucosa (the skin inside the mouth) and lips, which entail an increased risk of having oral cancer, either in the identified lesion or in the mucosa that is apparently normal.

WHAT ARE POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT ORAL DISEASES?

  • > ANSWER

    According to the 2018 New Classification, there are 12 Potentially Malignant Oral Diseases:

    1- Leukoplasia

    2- Erythroplasia

    3- Erythroleukoplakia

    4- Actinic Cheilitis

    5- Oral Lichen Planus

    6- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

    7- Submucosal Fibrosis

    8- Dyskeratosis Congenita

    9- Syphilitic Glossitis

    10- Chronic Candidiasis

    11- Smokeless tobacco keratosis

    12- Reverse smokers’ palate

HOW CAN I KNOW IF I HAVE A POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT ORAL DISEASE?

  • > ANSWER

    There are several ways to assess if you have a Potentially Malignant Oral Disease, and they are all important:

    - Evaluation by your Stomatologist

    - Oral self-examination

    - Evaluation by your Dentist

    - Evaluation by your Family Doctor

    - Contact Endoscopy (non-invasive diagnostic technique)

    - Biopsy (invasive diagnostic technique)


    It is not possible to choose just one, all the evaluations are important and, above all, being followed by a doctor with experience in Oral Medicine.


    Self-examination of the mouth, done at home by the actual person, once a week, is important to identify new lesions or, if an injury has already been identified, to check whether it has increased in size, changed colour, changed consistency or become hardened. If you notice any of these situations, you should contact your doctor immediately. Don't wait for your next appointment, time is the golden key in Potentially Malignant Oral Diseases.

HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD I SELF- EXAMINE MY MOUTH?

  • > ANSWER

    Once a week will be enough in most cases. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT ORAL DISEASES

IPFACE TEAM

ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT
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