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 Headed by Dr. Stephen Parel,
the recently added College Center also focuses on educating dental
students, dental postgraduate students, medical residents, nursing and
pharmacy students. Students learn about the opportunities that embrace
all the specialty areas of dentistry, including the fields of
prosthodontics, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery,
pathology, and restorative dentistry. Treatments will involve a
multidisciplinary approach to complex facial problems that will involve
plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, oncologists, oncologic
surgeons, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists,
nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The Center will be
interacting with other Dallas area healthcare institutions, including:
- Baylor University Medical Center
- Children's Medical Center of Dallas
- Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Most
importantly, the program will provide an opportunity for integrating
clinical patient care for this group of patients with research and
education. The net result of this integrative, team management approach
will be vastly improved access to care for patients; enlightened
professional patient care that utilizes advances in science and
technology; expanded educational opportunities for many, diverse
student groups and health care professionals in a multidisciplinary
center; a better understanding of the causes of acquired and/or
congenital craniofacial disfigurement; the opportunity to use the data
generated through this center to develop innovative approaches to
prevent future occurrences.
The Center for Maxillofacial Prosthodontics is made up of the following highly experienced staff.
Stephen Parel, D.D.S., M.S.
-- Dr. Parel, a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, is recognized as an
innovator, and one of the leading experts in the world in implant
therapy. He is also Director of the Center for Maxillofacial
Prosthodontics.
Suzanne Verma, M.A.M.S. -- Ms.
Verma is an Anaplastologist who specializes in creating facial and
somatio prostheses for patients with missing or disfigured anatomical
structures due to congenital abnormalities, trauma, or disease.
Maiara Hister-Cockrell, D.D.S. -- Dr.
Hister-Cockrell is a part-time restorative dentist who assists with the
creation of natural-appearing dental structures, using osseointegrated
implants and other prosthetic devices for support.
Kathy Muzzin, R.D.H., M.S.
-- Ms. Muzzin is an associate professor with the Caruth School of
Dental Hygiene and serves as a hygienist for the Center for
Maxillofacial Prosthodontics.
Steve Ruff, C.D.T.
-- Mr. Ruff is a highly skilled dental laboratory technician,
with extensive experience working with complex implant restorations.
Kendra Hoskins, C.D.A. -- Certified Dental Assistant
Heather McClain, C.D.A. -- Certified Dental Assistant
Leilane Vicente, C.D.A. -- Certified Dental Assistant
 What is Maxillofacial Prosthodontics?
Maxillofacial prosthodontics is a subspecialty of dentistry which
deals with the rehabilitation of patients with acquired and congenital
defects of the head and neck region. These range from minor to major
functional disabilities combined with cosmetic disfigurement. The
development of titanium dental implants by Professor P.I. Branemark led
to the refinement of bone-anchored prostheses for the face and adjacent
structures. This technology has been under study at selected sites in
the United States for over 20 years, and has been approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for general use. This gives new hope for
patients in need of these prostheses and has revolutionized the field.
What is Anaplastology?
Anaplastology
is the art and science of restoring a malformed or absent parts of the
human body through artificial means. By combining technical, medical,
and artistic skills with patience and compassion, the anaplastologist
can create custom-made, lifelike prostheses that fit the needs of each
patient. The field of anaplastology functions within the larger medical
community, in which cross-disciplinary communication and cooperation is
essential in order to provide patients with successful prosthetic
restorations and a positive treatment experience.
Facial and somato prosthetic devices are an essential part in restoring
the physical and psychological well being for patients with missing or
disfigured anatomical structures due to congenital abnormalities,
trauma, or disease such as head and neck cancer. Patients may be able
to gain renewed function, aesthetics, and a sense of confidence after
receiving a prosthetic ear, eye, nose, finger, or hand. This
restoration of self-esteem is an invested accomplishment for both the
patient and anaplastologist or maxillofacial prosthodontist. The
primary goal of prosthetic rehabilitation is to help patients improve
their quality of life and uphold their self-image during their
traumatic psychological adjustment. A truly successful prosthesis may
go unnoticed, allowing patients to go about life without drawing
attention to that aspect of their physical appearance. Each patient's
prosthesis is unique in its design, makeup and method of retention.
Patients presenting with adequate bone quality and compliance may be
candidates for osseointegrated implant retained prostheses. Titanium
implants, similar to dental implants are surgically placed in the bone
and used to anchor the silicone prosthesis with bar and clip, or magnet
retention. This retention method makes the prosthesis more stable,
aesthetic and durable. Due to the uniqueness of each patient's needs,
it is important that their treatment plan for reconstruction is
developed with the expertise of various members of a Craniofacial Team.
Center in Max-Fac Prosthodontics Needed?
Rehabilitation
of patients with head and neck disabilities is difficult and requires
close interactions among several health science disciplines. The
Maxillofacial Prosthodontist is the primary person involved in many
facets of patient care, and is therefore the individual who is in the
best position to coordinate the efforts required in this complex
rehabilitative process. Members of the team include oral and
maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiologists, oncologists,
head and neck surgeons, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists,
periodontists, orthodontists, social workers, speech therapists,
occupational therapists, among others. Although there are several
craniofacial teams in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, there is no
single center other than this one that can easily bring together all of
the needed specialists to evaluate and treat these patients.
Objectives of the Center
The
fundamental objective of this Center is to provide prosthodontic
reconstruction for those patients with orofacial defects resulting from
birth defects, trauma, or following treatment for head and neck
cancers. Defects of this type can lead to altered function and an
inability to participate in normal activities, which has a negative
impact on the patient's psychosocial behavior. The Center also
addresses the need for a focal point for the education of medical,
dental, and nursing students and auxiliary dental health personnel.
Clinical research is carried out as part of patient care and follow-up.
Treatment procedures are linked to the overall teaching and research
efforts of the College.
Birth Defects
Craniofacial
deformities such as cleft lip, cleft palate, are managed by specialized
teams of doctors and support personnel. The role of the maxillofacial
prosthodontist is critically important in supporting the surgical care
in such patients when closures of the openings between the nasal and
oral cavities are achieved, or providing supporting structures for
swallowing, chewing, and speech.
Trauma
Injuries
resulting from motor vehicle, industrial and residential accidents, and
gunshot wounds from assaults and/or suicide attempts account for a high
incidence of residual orofacial defects which can result in
disfigurement or compromise of function. These kinds of cases can often
be assisted by this Center.
Cancer
There
are approximately 50,000 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed
each year in the United States. About 700 of these cases occur in North
Texas per year. The main objective in the management of malignant
disease is cure, but there are important secondary goals to be
considered as well. Specifically, an attempt is made to preserve form
and function and retain an acceptable quality of life for the patient.
This includes the use of dental osseointegrated implants and
appropriate dental restorations. In the mouth, the therapeutic strategy
centers around retention and restoration of teeth, and restoration of
the ability to chew and swallow. Facial disfigurement can be overcome
by restoration of the eyes, ears, noses, or other facial structures,
occasionally retained by cranial implants.
For More Information or Appointments
Contact
Dr. Stephen M. Parel
E-mail: sparel@tambcd.edu
Phone: 214-828-8990
Fax: 214-828-8382
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