Ameloblastoma is the most commonly encountered benign bone tumour of the jaw in maxillofacial surgery practice. Successful treatment and a favorable prognosis require a high level of qualification and extensive practical experience from dental specialists. Treatment of jaw ameloblastoma in Israel is performed exclusively through surgical means by leading maxillofacial surgeons who are proficient in modern therapeutic techniques for this pathology. The methods used in most cases allow for the preservation of the integrity and functional activity of the jaw, avoiding loss of facial attractiveness. If removal or partial resection of the jaw is necessary, a plastic surgery operation is subsequently performed aimed at fully restoring functions and appearance.
For complete treatment without external defects and minimal risk of complications, a therapeutic course must be conducted at the initial stage of the disease. The necessity of tumour removal at an early stage is also due to the likelihood of its malignant transformation. Modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment in Israeli clinics allows for the rapid identification of neoplasms, establishing their characteristic features required for developing an effective therapy scheme. Patient reviews emphasize the accuracy of diagnosis, effectiveness, and reasonable cost of treatment, as well as the comfortable conditions for undergoing medical procedures and subsequent rehabilitation.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasm diagnosed in a significant number of patients. Typically, the pathology develops between the ages of 20-50, occurring equally in men and women. In some cases, the disease is identified in childhood and adolescence, accounting for about 6% of all benign jaw tumours. Approximately 80-83% of patients have the neoplasm affecting the lower jaw, most often localized in the area of its angle, and much less frequently developing in the upper jaw bone.
According to statistical studies, in most cases, ameloblastoma is detected at the early stages of development, within about six months from the onset. Often, this pathology is discovered incidentally during X-rays conducted for another dental issue. Some patients consult a dentist with this problem when the disease has already lasted more than a year, and the tumour has managed to affect a large area of the jaw. Recurrence of ameloblastoma is frequently diagnosed, sometimes developing years after surgical treatment. In cases of advanced pathological processes, unfavorable progression, and lack of adequate therapy, there is a risk of malignant transformation (malignancy) of the tumour.
Conducting in-depth studies of the disease has allowed specialists to propose several hypotheses related to its causes. It is assumed that stimulating factors include disturbances in tooth formation and various types of trauma; however, the exact causes of the disease remain unclear.
Ameloblastoma develops very slowly, causing discomfort to the patient for a long time. As the disease progresses, jaw deformation manifests: facial asymmetry becomes noticeable, and swelling occurs in the affected area. It is characteristic that the degree of asymmetry varies from barely noticeable to pronounced. Symptoms of ameloblastoma of the upper jaw, which occurs significantly less frequently, visually manifest even weaker, which is explained by the spread of the tumour process into the maxillary sinus.
The onset of pain syndrome indicates involvement of the bone tissue in the pathological process, and often patients mistake this pain for dental pain. From this moment, tooth displacement and loosening begin, and thinning of the jaw bone during further disease progression is manifested by characteristic cracking sounds. The development of upper jaw ameloblastoma poses an even greater threat, as the tumour is likely to spread into the nasal cavity and orbit. In advanced stages of the pathology, the patient complains of intense pain, and fistulas develop in the oral cavity, from which purulent exudate is released.
Treatment of ameloblastoma involves the surgical removal of the affected area of the jaw within the boundaries of unchanged tissues. The volume of the operation depends on the size, location, and stage of development of the neoplasm.
Since ameloblastoma is most often diagnosed at an early stage, the neoplasm does not have time to reach significant sizes. Such patients do not require resection or partial removal of the jaw; surgical intervention is not accompanied by disruption of the continuity of the jaw bone and the formation of cosmetic defects, and is often performed while preserving functions. After tumour removal, to prevent recurrence, the resulting cavity is treated with a high-concentration phenol solution, resulting in the necrosis of pathologically altered epithelial cells.
In cases of large ameloblastoma, resection of the jaw bone or partial removal of the jaw is indicated. If a focus of purulent inflammation develops, it is surgically eliminated simultaneously with the removal of the tumour. Before the procedure, which is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia, oral cavity sanitation is mandatory.
During the postoperative recovery period, the patient is prescribed courses of antibiotics and symptomatic medication therapy. The patient's diet excludes coarse and hard foods that require thorough chewing. After each meal, the patient must rinse the cavity formed after the operation. In cases of significant bone loss in the jaw, a bone plastic surgery operation is indicated to restore lost functions and eliminate cosmetic defects, using individually manufactured orthopedic constructions.
How the Disease is Diagnosed
Patient examination, diagnosis, and development of a treatment scheme take about three days in Israeli clinics.
On the first day of stay in the medical center, the patient undergoes a consultation with a leading dentist. During the appointment, the doctor reviews the medical history, clarifies the symptoms troubling the patient, and conducts an oral examination. At the end of the consultation, the specialist prescribes the necessary examinations.
On the next day, the types of diagnostic procedures listed in the appointments are performed:
- radiological examination (overview X-ray of the upper and lower jaw,
- lateral projection, axial radiography);
- computed tomography (CT);
- puncture of the neoplasm followed by laboratory cytological analysis of the obtained material (the most informative diagnostic method).
The results of the studies are reviewed by a medical commission, which includes a dentist and narrow-profile specialists. The doctors collectively make a diagnosis and develop a treatment scheme.
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The final price of therapy, which concerns most medical tourists, is determined after the appointment of treatment procedures. Treatment in Israel allows the patient to save about 30% of the amount required in Western European countries and is approximately 50% cheaper than in the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High level of qualification and extensive experience of doctors.
- Availability of modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
- Rapid and accurate diagnosis.
- Use of modern therapy methods.
- Affordable prices.
The success of therapy and the lowest number of complications directly depend on conducting a treatment course at the early stage of the disease. Do not delay, contact your chosen Israeli clinic and start treatment as soon as possible.