The following Dental information pages answers many of your questions on dental extractions and oral cancer, cysts and tumors and its treatment.

Can extraction be done on a heart patient?

Usually extractions may not pose any problems for heart patients. However the dentist may require your physician's consent. In addition prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed prior to the extraction as a precautionary measure. Some sedative may also be prescribed prior to the extraction.

---

Can extraction be done on a diabetic patient?

Patients who have their diabetes under control by diet and medication can undergo extraction. However the dentist may give you a prophylactic antibiotic prior to the procedure. He would also advice you to have normal food and medicine before the appointment. Sedative may also be prescribed.

---

What is a cyst?

A cyst is a fluid filled cavity that can occur in the soft tissues or the bone. They are of different types and may be asymptomatic or maybe associated with swelling and pain.

---

How are cysts treated?

Cysts are usually filled with a fluid and are lined by a layer of tissue. Cysts are treated by surgically removing the lining and draining the fluid that is found inside. The normal tissues grow into the cavity in due course of time. However sometimes the cysts have a tendency to reform in the same area.

---

What is a tumor?

A tumor is uncontrolled duplication of certain cells in the body. Tumors are of 2 types - malignant and benign. Benign tumors are relatively harmless while the malignant tumors are serious and tend to spread to nearby and far tissues and pose a threat to life.

---

What are the causes of oral cancer?

Oral cancers can occur due to a number of factors such as chewing of tobacco and betel, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, tissue irritation from sharp tooth or ill fitting denture etc. Lip cancer may occur due to excessive exposure to sunlight.

---

How do oral cancers present?

Most oral cancers may appear as a swelling or painless ulcer. Sometimes a patch of whitish tissue or red tinged tissue may be seen. Pain is usually a feature in the late stages due to infection of the lesion. The cancer can spread to nearby and far tissues.

---

How are oral cancers treated?

Oral cancer is treated by one or more of the following: 1. Chemotherapy: This means the tumors are treated by drugs or chemicals that kill the tumor cells. These drugs are usually very toxic to the body. 2. Radiation therapy: The tumor is exposed to radiation, which is found to cure certain tumors. 3. Surgical removal: The entire tumor is removed along with a border of normal tissue. In case the tumor has spread to nearby lymph glands, they may also be removed surgically.

---

Do teeth get decayed after radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy for treatment of oral cancer is usually followed by reduced salivary quantity due to atrophy of the oral glands. So the cleaning action of the saliva on the teeth is reduced resulting in increased dental decay. Thus patients who have had radiation therapy need to maintain good oral hygiene and may also require professional fluoride application to offer resistance to caries.

---

Are teeth extracted prior to radiation therapy?

Extraction and other minor oral surgical procedures are usually completed prior to radiation therapy. Soon after the radiation therapy it has been found that the blood supply to the radiated zone is reduced. This predisposes the tissues to infection. So surgical procedures and extractions are avoided after radiation therapy.

---

What is biopsy?

Biopsy is surgical removal of a small sample of tissue from a lesion such as a tumor. This tissue is studied under the microscope to determine what type of lesion it is so that appropriate treatment can be planned.

---

What are precancerous lesions?

They are certain lesions of the oral tissue that show an increased risk of transforming into malignant oral cancer. These lesions are called precancerous lesions. The dentist will try and determine what type of lesion it is and take treatment measures so as to prevent malignancy from developing.

---

Are all swellings in the mouth tumors?

Not all swellings in the mouth are tumors. Swellings can occur due to a number of other causes such as cysts, inflammation, infection of teeth etc. However it is advisable to consult your dentist on finding an oral swelling.