University of Maryland Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates

Success Stories

Innovative Prosthesis Design Makes a "Huge Difference" In the Life of Jaw Reconstruction Patient

Jill

In March of 2003, Jill underwent surgery – performed by Dr. Robert Ord at the University of Maryland -- to remove a benign tumor in her lower jaw bone and then to reconstruct her jaw. After several unsuccessful prostheses, she later had dental implants and a prosthesis at the University of Maryland Medical Center, which were done in several stages over the past several years by Dr. Deborah Armellini. “Dr. Armellini developed a much better design that made use of all of my implants and the resulting prosthesis fits beautifully,” said Jill. “Unlike all of the previous prostheses that were made (or doctors attempted to make) this prosthesis looks natural.” Read her story below.

What was your disease/condition?

When I was 22 years old I had an odontogenic myxoma, a benign, slow-growing but easily spreading tumor in my lower jaw bone.

When/how were you diagnosed?

I had two earlier surgeries to remove what doctors told me was a cyst before I was in high school. The “cyst” began to shift my teeth soon after I graduated college. I made an appointment with an orthodontist, who took X-rays and immediately sent me to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon performed a biopsy, which correctly identified the tumor.

How did you find out about the University of Maryland Medical Center?

Recognizing the seriousness of my condition, the oral surgeon arranged for me to be treated by Dr. Robert Ord [Chief and Professor, Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery] at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The oral surgeon had sent a previous patient to UMMC with very good results.

What led up to your decision to have surgery?

Dr. Ord explained that the tumor was destroying my jaw and would continue to spread unless it was removed. I felt I had no choice but to follow UMMC’s recommendation for surgery.

When did you have your surgery?

I had my surgery five weeks later in March of 2003. Working as a team, Dr. Ord and another doctor made an incision across my neck and removed most of my lower jaw bone and all but five teeth. They reconstructed my jaw using a titanium bar and a bone from the knee to the ankle of my right leg.

What was your recovery like?

I spent ten days in the hospital.

Did you have additional treatments/therapies after surgery?

My hospital stay was followed by a long period of homebound recovery with visiting nurses, physical therapists, and speech therapists to help me learn to walk, speak and eat again

How did you feel about the care you received while you were in the hospital?

The doctors and residents went out of their way to make me as comfortable as possible and were encouraging and reassuring.

What happened after the surgery?

Since the bone had to heal before I could have the dental implants, which were done in two stages, my recovery has stretched out over the past four years. Over that time I have had many prostheses made. The first dental prosthesis made for me by a dentist allowed me to go out in public early that summer. A second made by a prosthodontist was better and was good enough for me to go out of state to graduate school, though I was not able to bite into food with my front teeth.

After the second stage of implant surgery I had another prosthesis made, but it was a “temporary” one because of time constraints due to my need to get back to school. I managed with this temporary one for my second year of school. I regularly had ulcerations in my mouth because of fitting problems and was constantly having adjustments made.

I then moved to Philadelphia for my first job. I went to a dental school that attempted to make a permanent prosthesis for me with disastrous results. After seeing the damage done to my implants, one of my surgeons at the University of Maryland recommended that I go to Dr. Debora Armellini [Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Dental School and Baltimore College of Dental Surgery].

What did Dr. Armellini do next?

Dr. Armellini developed a much better design that made use of all of my implants, and the resulting prosthesis fits beautifully. Unlike all of the previous prostheses that were made (or doctors attempted to make), this prosthesis looks natural. In my case, because so much bone was removed, the prosthesis serves not only to replace teeth, but it also provides shape to my jaw line and face.

What is your opinion of Dr. Armellini and the other staff?

Dr. Armellini was very patient to get every detail the way I desired. She really listens to her patients and uses the best dental labs. She is gentle, reassuring, understanding, and always willing to work with her patients until they are completely satisfied. She is also very accessible and responsive. Her innovative design has made a huge difference in my comfort, appearance, and ability to chew normally.

Would you recommend the University of Maryland to others?

Because of the excellent care I have received, I have and will continue to recommend UMMC and specifically Dr. Ord and Dr. Armellini to others.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 410-706-6195 or see our Contact Us page.