Post-Cancer Recovery
Oral Cancer Rehabilitation
Restoring speech, eating, and appearance after oral cancer surgery — through carefully coordinated reconstruction and prosthetic rehabilitation.
The Challenge After Cancer Surgery
Oral cancer surgery often requires removal of jaw bone, teeth, and soft tissue to ensure complete excision of the tumour. While this is essential for survival, it can leave patients with significant functional and aesthetic deficits — difficulty eating, impaired speech, and changes in facial appearance.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring what was lost — not just structurally, but functionally. The goal is to help patients regain independence in daily activities like eating and speaking, and to restore confidence in their appearance.
Dr. Chamria's Approach
Dr. Chamria's fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center focused specifically on oral oncology rehabilitation. This training shapes the approach used at Royal Dental Clinics:
Early Planning
Engaging with the oncology team before surgery — to plan rehabilitation alongside cancer treatment, not as an afterthought.
Primary Rehabilitation
When feasible, placing implants or prosthetic bases during the cancer surgery itself — reducing the total number of surgeries and recovery periods.
Secondary Rehabilitation
For patients who have already undergone cancer surgery, planning prosthetic or implant rehabilitation after healing is complete.
Multidisciplinary Coordination
Working alongside oncologists, radiation therapists, speech therapists, and prosthodontists as a coordinated team.
What CAJTeeth™ Can Restore
Dental Function
Fixed or removable prostheses that restore the ability to chew and eat comfortably.
Speech
Obturators and prostheses that seal surgical defects and restore clear speech.
Aesthetics
Facial prosthetics and dental rehabilitation that restore natural appearance and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions patients ask most often.
When should rehabilitation be discussed — before or after cancer surgery?
Ideally, rehabilitation should be discussed before cancer surgery. Early planning allows for primary rehabilitation (during the same surgery) when possible, and ensures the cancer surgeon and rehabilitation team coordinate on surgical access, tissue preservation, and prosthetic planning.
What is CAJTeeth™?
CAJTeeth™ (Cancer Jaw Teeth) is a rehabilitation protocol developed to restore dental function after cancer surgery that affects the jaw. It combines surgical reconstruction and prosthetic rehabilitation — sometimes during the same surgical session as cancer removal, or as a secondary procedure after healing.
Can I get dental implants after cancer treatment?
In many cases, yes. Implants can be placed in reconstructed or remaining healthy bone to support fixed teeth. Timing depends on the cancer treatment plan, radiation history, and healing status. Each case is assessed individually.
What if I need an obturator?
An obturator is a prosthesis used to seal defects in the palate (roof of the mouth) after cancer surgery. It restores the ability to eat, drink, and speak. Dr. Chamria works with prosthodontists to design and fit custom obturators as part of the rehabilitation plan.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether it's your first consultation or you've already been to three other clinics — we'll give you an honest assessment and a clear plan.
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