Oral Medicine

Oral medicine is a specialty in dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and non-surgical management of a multitude of acute and chronic conditions in the head and neck region, including the oral cavity. There are many conditions that fall under this specialty, such as:

  • For patients experiencing pain in the face, pain in jaws or pain in TMJ (temporomandibular joint) region, oral medicine specialist at North Dallas Dental Health, Dr. Lakshmi Gorgantula, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of these and other related conditions. Additional pain and conditions treated include:

    • Myalgia in head and neck region

    • TMJ pain

    • Headaches, including tension headaches

    • Cervicalgia and cevicogenic pain

    • Trigeminal neuralgia and other neuralgias in head and neck region

    • Atypical facial pain

    • Nerve pain and neuropathy

    • Oral burning or burning mouth syndrome

    Chronic pain in the head and neck and the associated conditions may also be associated with additional symptoms such as: burning in the mouth, difficult to open mouth wider, muscle spasm in the face, teeth clenching and grinding, and bruxism.

  • Salivary gland dysfunction may include symptoms such as lack of saliva, dry mouth, increased cavities, dental decay, bad taste in mouth, metallic taste in mouth, chapped lips and difficult chewing and/or swallowing. Additionally, salivary gland dysfunction may cause dry mouth and Sjogren’s syndrome. For patients experiencing symptoms related to the salivary gland, consult with oral medicine specialist, Dr. Lakshmi Gorgantula, at North Dallas Dental Health for proper diagnosis and treatment.

  • Oral mucosal conditions include a diverse spectrum of symptoms and often result in ulcers in the mouth, canker sores, cold sores, and soreness in the corners of the mouth. Additional symptoms and indications of an oral mucosal condition include: OLP, BMMP, candida infection white patches, leukoplakia, migratory tongue, patches or lines on tongue, and patches or lines on cheeks.

    What types of conditions are included in oral mucosal conditions?

    • Auto-immune conditions, such as oral lichen planus, pemphigold, and pemphigus

    • Alphthous ulcers

    • Infections in mouth, including fungal, viral and bacterial infections

    • White patches, such as leukoplakia, frictional keratosis, and PVL (proliferative verrucous leukoplakia)

    • White and red patches, such as erythroplakia

    • Allergy and hypersensitivity reaction

    • Benign migratory glossitis

    • Oral complications secondary to cancer and/or radiation treatment

    • Benign growths, such as fibroma and papilloma

    Dr. Lakshmi Gorgantula, oral medicine specialist, provides patients with a thorough evaluation, diagnosis and non-surgical condition management and treatment plan in order to alleviate symptoms and control associated pain and discomfort.

  • Sleep apnea is a disorder which causes disruption to breathing during sleep, oftentimes reducing or completely stopping airflow. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, headaches, dry mouth or sore throat, mood changes, excessive daytime sleepiness, and observed episodes of loud or stopped breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition when left untreated. For patients who suspect they may suffer from sleep apnea or who experience any of the symptoms of a sleep apnea, an evaluation and proper diagnosis is highly recommended.

Looking for an oral medicine specialist in Dallas? Dr. Lakshmi Gorgantula, oral medicine specialist at North Dallas Dental Health, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions including TMJ and TMD pain, Sleep Apnea, chronic head and neck pain, and more. Schedule an appointment today for a thorough clinical assessment of your condition and treatment plan leading to relief and pain management.