Specialties & Services

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

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What Is Maxillofacial Prosthodontics?

A prosthodontist is a dentist with additional training in caring for people who are missing teeth and other mouth structures after an illness, such as cancer, or severe (traumatic) injury. Prosthodontists make custom devices (prosthetics) that restore a more normal appearance. The devices also make it possible to chew, speak and swallow more naturally.

A maxillofacial prosthodontist has specific, advanced training to treat conditions affecting the head, neck and face. The maxillofacial prosthodontist uses skill and science to create prosthetics that improve your function and appearance.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics: Why Choose Us?

Barnes-Jewish Hospital has the only medical center-based maxillofacial prosthodontic practice in the St. Louis region, led by Azadeh Afshari, DDS.

Dr. Afshari has fellowship training in meeting the unique needs of cancer patients. Our program also delivers focused care for traumatic injuries and congenital (present at birth) abnormalities. This level of expertise leads to exceptional results.

Conditions We Treat With Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

Maxillofacial prosthodontics can provide prosthetic rehabilitation for conditions including:

  • Head and neck cancer, and surgery to treat it
  • Complications from cancer treatment, including effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy
  • Congenital defects, such as microcephaly, in which parts of the face do not form correctly
  • Head and neck injuries (trauma)

Prosthodontics for Cancer, Trauma and Congenital Birth Defects

We create custom prosthetics to replace missing or damaged structures in the head, face and neck, including your:

  • Ears
  • Eyes
  • Nose
  • Teeth and nearby tissue

If you are having difficulty speaking, eating or swallowing, you will receive care from our speech therapists (speech-language pathologists). Therapists work closely with Dr. Afshari to develop a comprehensive care plan to achieve your goals for function and appearance.