Types of Oral Mouth Cancer | Huntsville | Scottsboro | DecaturA wide variety of cells constitute the mouth tissue. Malignancy may originate in any particular type of cells, which will determine the type of oral cancer. Before the mouth cancer treatment begins, it’s necessary to identify its type. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

One of the most common forms of oral mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which begins in the oral cavity. Squamous cells are flat, thin and appear like fish scales. These cells are found in the tissue that builds the skin surface, the lining of the body’s hollow organs, and the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts.  

Oral verrucous carcinoma is a rare subtype of SCC. Another type of mouth cancer is oral melanoma, which occurs in the pigment-creating cells in the body. Melanoma of the head and neck may develop on the skin in these areas, or the tissue inside the oral or nasal cavity. 

Location of Mouth Cancer

Although nine out of 10 oral cancers are SCC, the treatment will depend on the precise location of the cancer. 

Floor of the Mouth Cancer

This type of head and neck cancer occurs when the cells constituting the floor of the mouth start growing out of control and form tumors or lesions. This type of cancer may initially be mistaken for canker sores. Therefore, it is important to see an experienced oral surgeon for early diagnosis. 

Gum Cancer

Gum cancer is easily treatable if detected early, but patients sometimes mistake it for gingivitis. This type of head and neck cancer occurs when the cells forming the lower and upper gum tissue grow out of control and start creating tumors or lesions. 

The risk of gum cancer is higher for people who chew tobacco or drink alcohol excessively. An experienced dentist may be able to notice the early signs of gum cancer during a periodic dental exam. 

Hard Palate Cancer

Cancers of the hard palate are relatively rare. An ulcer occurring on the roof of the mouth may be the first sign of this cancer. This type of cancer occurs when cells constituting the bony portion of the roof of mouth form tumors or lesions and growth out of control. Hard palate cancers in an advanced stage may spread into the nose cavity.

Buccal Mucosa cancer (inner cheek cancer), tongue cancer, and lip cancer, are the other common types of mouth cancer. These cancers are often curable if detected early.

Stages of Oral Cancer

If your dentist finds pre-cancerous cells in the oral cavity, which could eventually develop into a cancer, it is called carcinoma in situ or stage 0. Localized oral cancer only affects one area of the mouth, but has not spread to the surrounding tissue. 

Distant mouth cancer has spread to other body parts, possibly including the liver or lungs. If oral cancer is left untreated, it may first spread to other parts of the mouth, and then to the neck, head, and the remaining areas of the body.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Otoplasty Ear Pinning Surgery Before and After Photos

Otoplasty Ear Pinning Surgery Before and After Photos

Otoplasty ear pinning surgery may be performed on children or adults with equal efficacy. The procedure should be performed only by a cosmetic surgeon with experience in otoplasty in order to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes. At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of the procedure with the patient.

Many surgeons also prefer to provide otoplasty ear pinning surgery before and after photographs to the patient. This enables the patient to have a fair idea of the potential effectiveness of the surgery. Board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides otoplasty to patients in Huntsville, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

What are Otoplasty Before and After Pictures?

Before and after pictures in case of otoplasty refer to a pair or group of images belonging to a previous patient who has undergone the same procedure with successful results. The images include pictures taken prior to the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the swelling and bruising has disappeared and full effects of the procedure are visible.

The cosmetic surgeon will obtain these pictures with the consent of the patient, and will present them before new patients in an appropriate manner. The only purpose here is to use the images as a visual aid to educate new patients about various aspects of otoplasty. When new patients understand what the procedure can or cannot do for them, they are in a better position to make an informed choice.

Benefits

When a new patient is considering otoplasty, they will usually have only a limited understanding of how the procedure may impact their overall facial appearance or meet their personal aesthetic needs. Some patients may need a more invasive or reconstructive otoplasty, while others may simply require an ear pinning procedure.

In a few cases, the surgeon may recommend an additional surgical or non-surgical procedure along with otoplasty. In all such situations, it can be hard for a patient to make the best choices. This is where the surgeon will use otoplasty before and after photos to help the patient make the right decisions. As a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Alabama, and nearby areas for otoplasty.

Having Realistic Expectations

In any aesthetic procedure, a pre-requisite is that the patient should be well-informed and should have realistic expectations. An experienced surgeon will always prefer that the patient reviews as many otoplasty before and after photos as possible. This will allow them to formulate a realistic visualization of how their facial appearance will change with this surgery.

Patients with realistic expectations typically achieve higher levels of satisfaction in any aesthetic surgery. Otoplasty before and after photos will also help to ensure there are not any disappointments or misunderstandings in the end for the patient.

Photos on the Website

The plastic surgeon has an option to provide otoplasty before and after photos on their practice website. New patients can access the photos directly online even before their first appointment with the surgeon. This will place them in a more confident frame of mind if they are interested in going ahead with the surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading plastic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Otoplasty Ear Pinning Surgery Cost

How to Prepare For Ear Surgery | Huntsville | Scottsboro | DecaturOtoplasty or cosmetic ear reshaping surgery is a proven and effective way to permanently improve the appearance of ears. During the initial consultation process, the cosmetic surgeon will discuss various aspects of the procedure, including its estimated costs. The goal of the surgeon is to help the patient make an informed decision.

Dr. Landon D. McLain is a leading board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon as well as a board certified cosmetic surgeon. His specialized training and qualifications enable him to perform otoplasty and other facial procedures in the best possible manner. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Worth the Cost

When an otoplasty procedure is performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon with expertise in facial procedures, the patient can expect most dependable and expected results. The procedure may cost a significant amount of money, if all pre- and post-op care, medication, tests, and other expenses are included. However, the patient will usually have various financing options available to make the payments in convenient monthly installments.

It is also important for the patient to check their insurance coverage to determine if full or partial costs may be covered. In any case, for an adult or a child who is self-conscious and suffering because of deformed or protruding ears, the benefits of otoplasty will far outweigh the cost of surgery. As a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. McLain provides this procedure to patients in Huntsville, Alabama, and nearby areas.

Factors Affecting the Price

The cost of otoplasty surgery will usually vary from one practice to another, and even from one patient to another in some cases. Key factors that will impact the monetary amount include the following:

Location of the Practice

Otoplasty costs will vary throughout the United States because the cost of living index varies from one region to another. Coastal states and other major urban centers will typically have higher costs for procedures such as otoplasty.

Surgeon’s Expertise

If the plastic surgeon has a well-established or long standing practice, a strong professional reputation and high credentials, along with expertise in procedures such as otoplasty, the demand may be higher for such surgeons. This will result in a higher fee of the surgeon in many cases.

Extent of Surgery Performed

The costs involved in a fairly straightforward ear pinning surgery to correct protruding or flapping ears will be relatively lower as compared to the costs incurred in correcting a deformed ear. If ear reconstruction is involved, the dollar figure will go up considerably.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive ear surgery will usually cost more than cosmetic otoplasty. This is a more complex surgery that will correct deformation or improve traumatic injury to the ear. It will generally involve skin and cartilage grafting from other areas of the body in order to create a natural looking ear.

Insurance Coverage

Depending on the purpose of procedure, the cost of otoplasty may sometimes be covered under health insurance. If otoplasty is aimed at correcting a defect in the ears or a congenital deformity, some insurers may provide coverage.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Link to Business Insider Article

I recently came across this online article on Business Insider, about what physical features make men attractive to women.  Below are the 5 features discussed in the article.

  1. Facial Symmetry  which is an indicator of good genes and health.  This is a common feature of attractiveness in both sexes.
  2. Voice–  deeper voices were more attractive to women.  This clearly explains the fascination of many women and Barry White love songs.
  3. Jaws  large, well defined jawlines were deemed to be a good indicator of reproductive health.  Certainly, a more prominent and well defined lower jaw has been pretty ubiquitous to Hollywood’s leading men over the years
  4. Eyes  the outline of the colored portion of the eye is termed the limbal ring.  A prominent limbal ring, which is only visible in lighter eye colors, signals health and youth.  Advantage to the blue-eyed beaus.
  5. Height–  a recent study showed men with kids were, on average, one inch taller than men without kids.

None of this is very earth-shattering and follows most of our assumptions about male attractiveness.   Interestingly, there is only one feature that can be “easily” altered.   And, no, I’m not suggesting we all go and get colored contact lenses with prominent limbal rings.  Those look pretty fake once your within 3 feet of a person wearing them.  I’m referring to the jaw or jawline more specifically.  The good news is, there are several procedures that can increase the prominence of the lower jaw and render a more attractive appearance.  Consider these options before buying platform shoes or having leg lengthening surgery.

Neck Liposuction

As men (and women for that matter) age, especially with a little weight gain, the fat pockets underneath the chin and jaw may enlarge.  This hides the once prominent jawline that was so well defined in our youth or when we were more physically  fit.  Liposuction to the neck is one of the easiest cosmetic procedures to undergo and has a very high satisfaction rate with minimal downtime.

Chin Implants

For those who have a small retruded chin, placement of a anatomically contoured chin implant can make the world of difference.  Despite what you may have seen in the movies, most chin implants are very natural looking without any stigma of surgery.  There are even implants to improve the angle of the jaw.  These solid silicone implants are very safe and most types can be easily removed if the patient desires.

Jaw Surgery

Otherwise known as orthognathic surgery, which is primarily intended to improve the patient’s bite and function.  The “extra” benefit to this procedure is that in many situations we are moving the lower jaw forward, creating more prominence to the jawline and significantly improving the patient’s appearance.  This procedure is almost always combined with a period of braces applied by an orthodontist before and after the surgery and although this has a bit more recovery, the results are lifelong.

Facelift

This is the gold standard in facial rejuvenation.  With the passage of time, the soft tissues of the face and neck descend and literally hide the chin and jawline even if your bone structure is ideal.  If you are in your fifties or sixties, you most likely know what I am referring to.  A facelift or rhytidectomy, addresses the sagging tissues and restores a more youthful contour to the jawline.

Many times, some of the aforementioned procedures are combined to yield an even more significant result.  If you are interested in improving your jawline or any other aspect of your appearance, please contact our office by phone or email.  While we cannot make you a Hollywood’s A-lister, we can definitely improve your attractiveness.

-Landon McLain MD, DMD