Oral Medicine and Radiology
Oral medicine is a specialty area of dentistry that is concerned with the health of the oral cavity and the diagnosis and management of diseases of the oral region. It may also include the oral and dental treatment of patients who are medically compromised, i.e., those that have medical problems where dental treatment can result in serious complications. A sub speciality within oral medicine is Oral and maxillofacial radiology, which uses enhanced imaging techniques for diagnostic purposes. They help in detecting the extent of tooth decay, to assess the damage to the alveolar bone, locating tumors, diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, infectious diseases of the jaw, and most importantly in traumatic injuries.KEY ASPECTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Acquisition and interpretation of conventional (intraoral, panoramic) and advanced imaging (CBCT, CT, MRI) for oral diseases.
Management of oral manifestations of systemic diseases and dental care for medically compromised patients.
Early detection of oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders.
Serving as the initial diagnostic department (OPD) and collaborating with oncologists, pathologists, and surgeons.
Oral Medicine and Radiology, involving intensive training in clinical examination, patient history taking, and medical management.
Ensuring patient and operator protection following the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
Managing diseases like candiasis, TMJ disorders, and orofacial pain.
Providing dental care to patients with complex medical histories.
Benefits of Prosthodontic Care
01
Specialized, early detection of oral pathologies, including oral cancers, improves prognosis and reduces the need for invasive, last-minute treatments.
02
The combination of clinical examination and advanced imaging (CBCT, digital imaging) enables precise diagnosis of complex jaw pathologies, deep-set, and hidden dental issues.
03
Specialists manage, rather than just surgically treat, conditions such as chronic orofacial pain, neurosensory disorders, xerostomia, and ulcerative lesions.
04
Oral Medicine experts bridge the gap between dental and systemic health, offering specialized care for patients with medical conditions like HIV, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders.
05
Utilization of modern digital imaging offers high-definition 3D views for better assessment, with up to 90% less radiation exposure compared to traditional film.
06
Provides crucial imaging and diagnostic input for implant placement, orthodontic treatment, and pre- or post-operative assessments of the oral cavity.
Faculties
Advances Oral Medicine and Radiology
The department faculty and postgraduate students are regularly involved in various research activities and actively participate with enthusiasm in various CDE programs, National conferences for updating knowledge. The department staff members have to their credit paper presentations, poster and publications, presentations at national and international level.
The department has state of the art digital IOPA, OPG machines that have been networked for access and digital print outs of radiographs from any department. The department houses a state of the art full volume CBCT machine which, provides regular CBCT service and reports to patients referred from other departments and private practitioners.
