broken jaw

Six months ago, my nephew (22) fractured his lower jaw in an accident. The jaw had to be fixed with wires. Although he was okay initially, now he finds it difficult to open his mouth properly. Please suggest a remedy.

It seems your nephew’s fractured lower jaw was treated by an inter-maxilliary fixation. The restricted mouth opening could be due to the fact that his muscles are in a spasm. It could also be due to a change in the position of the jaw (malocclusion) when it was wired. If the malocclusion is prominent, fixation with plates and screws is advised. under general anaesthesia.

swelling below jaw

My 13-year-old daughter has developed a swelling on the left side of her neck below the lower jaw. It changes its shape and size whenever she eats. Our doctor says it’s a problem of the salivary gland stones. Is it so?

Your daughter is suffering from sialadenitis of the submandibular salivary gland. This inflammation is due to obstruction in the duct from the gland commonly caused by salivary stones (calculi). Complications of salivary stones include inflammation, strictures and occasional development of an opening in the mouth (intraoral fistula). Traditional management includes removal of the stone and if necessary, the affected gland. Non-surgical newer methods include salivary lithotripsy and radiologically guided stone removal by an instrument called dormia basket.

swelling on the lip

My daughter is 14 years old. She often develops a swelling on the lower lip which sometimes grows bigger. My doctor thinks it’s a cyst. Please advise.

Probably your daughter has been getting the swelling from the minor salivary glands which are located beneath the lower lip. These swellings, known as mucoceles, need to be excised carefully because they tend to recur quite often. However, you need not be scared. This is a simple procedure which can be done easily at an outpatient department (OPD) under local anaesthesia.

lump in lower jaw

I am 45 years old. Eight years ago, I had a swelling in my lower jaw which was diagnosed as ameloblastoma. It was surgically removed by an experienced surgeon. Three months ago, a similar swelling has developed at another spot.

Ameloblastoma of the lower jaw (mandible) is quite common. The recurrence rate of certain types of ameloblastoma (diagnosed by radiographs and histopathological examinations) is very high. You need to see a maxillofacial surgeon immediately and after a proper diagnosis, a resection of the lower jaw is the ideal treatment with reconstructive plates.

protruded teeth

I am 25 years old. My upper teeth are protruding. I have consulted a dentist who says that I will need braces and surgery. What’s your opinion?

Your dentist seems to have suggested a treatment which is medically known as orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery. You need to see an orthodontist first who will have to make a proper assessment of your teeth and jaws with scans, X-ray, casts, etc. If needed, he will refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon. Surgery is required if a bone needs to be corrected. There are various types of surgery for which you need to stay in a hospital for about four days. But your treatment will end in two years and you will need braces following the surgery.

patch on cheeks

I am 42 years old. Recently, I have given up chewing tobacco. But I have got a whitish patch on the inner side of my cheek. Could it be cancer?

It’s difficult to say if it is cancer unless proper tests are done. You need an immediate treatment as some of the white lesions may be cancerous. If it is in an extensive area, a laser ablation is the first choice. But if a biopsy detects a malignancy, you need surgery.