Nagpur: Maharashtra’s first post-mucormycosis rehabilitation centre has been started at the Government Dental College (GDC) in the city.
Named ‘Post Covid Mucormycosis Maxillofacial Rehabilitation Centre’, it conducted the first jaw implant and replacement surgery recently. GDC dean Dr Abhay Datarkar said a young patient from Yavatmal district was the beneficiary as he got jaws and set of teeth and will be living a near-normal life very soon.
“Hundreds of patients lost their teeth, upper and lower jaws during the post-Covid mucormycosis infection. This not only brings abnormality in the looks, but also reduces the living abilities. Patients lose their confidence too. We have decided to restructure the lost parts of their face with the help of latest maxillofacial techniques,” said Dr Datarkar.
Not only this, mucor survivors who lost their eyes during the course of treatment will get the eye-like implants too. “GDC has undertaken the task of making artificial eyes for 10 such survivors. These look like the normal eyes,” said Dr Arun Khalikar, head of prosthodontics department.
At present, the GDC has list of 70 patients who were operated for post-Covid mucormycosis and now need maxillofacial rehabilitation. The first surgery was conducted with the monetary assistance of a private firm. From now onwards, the divisional administration will be providing the funds for such surgeries. Divisional commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma confirmed this to TOI.
“Rehabilitation of mucormycosis survivors is a major challenge. It’s a costly process and patients hardly have funds to undergo such surgeries. So, the divisional administration has decided to raise funds and help the needy in Vidarbha,” said the divisional commissioner.
Nagpur had the highest number of mucormycosis patients in Maharashtra during and after the second wave of Covid-19. GDC alone has a list of 118 patients who have lost their jaws and teeth.
“We have list of 70 patients awaiting total face implant. We have submitted the proposal to the divisional administration. We are ready to conduct surgeries once our proposal gets approved,” said Dr Datarkar.
Dr Varsha Mandekar said teeth and jaw implants are constructed using titanium, which easily fuses to the human jawbone. “It looks like normal teeth and jaw. Titanium implant is strong, sturdy enough and acts as natural teeth,” she said. The success rate of a titanium implant is from 95% to 98%, which is very good.
A Ray Of Hope
GDC Nagpur’s Mucormycosis Rehabilitation Centre will be 1st of its kind in state
Initially, maxillofacial surgeries of 70 mucor survivors who lost their jaws, teeth will be conducted
Titanium implants, having up to 98% success rate, will be used
Patients who got operated for mucor at GMC and AIIMS will get benefit first
For needy patients, mucor rehabilitation expenses to be covered by divisional administration
Named ‘Post Covid Mucormycosis Maxillofacial Rehabilitation Centre’, it conducted the first jaw implant and replacement surgery recently. GDC dean Dr Abhay Datarkar said a young patient from Yavatmal district was the beneficiary as he got jaws and set of teeth and will be living a near-normal life very soon.
“Hundreds of patients lost their teeth, upper and lower jaws during the post-Covid mucormycosis infection. This not only brings abnormality in the looks, but also reduces the living abilities. Patients lose their confidence too. We have decided to restructure the lost parts of their face with the help of latest maxillofacial techniques,” said Dr Datarkar.
Not only this, mucor survivors who lost their eyes during the course of treatment will get the eye-like implants too. “GDC has undertaken the task of making artificial eyes for 10 such survivors. These look like the normal eyes,” said Dr Arun Khalikar, head of prosthodontics department.
At present, the GDC has list of 70 patients who were operated for post-Covid mucormycosis and now need maxillofacial rehabilitation. The first surgery was conducted with the monetary assistance of a private firm. From now onwards, the divisional administration will be providing the funds for such surgeries. Divisional commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma confirmed this to TOI.
“Rehabilitation of mucormycosis survivors is a major challenge. It’s a costly process and patients hardly have funds to undergo such surgeries. So, the divisional administration has decided to raise funds and help the needy in Vidarbha,” said the divisional commissioner.
Nagpur had the highest number of mucormycosis patients in Maharashtra during and after the second wave of Covid-19. GDC alone has a list of 118 patients who have lost their jaws and teeth.
“We have list of 70 patients awaiting total face implant. We have submitted the proposal to the divisional administration. We are ready to conduct surgeries once our proposal gets approved,” said Dr Datarkar.
Dr Varsha Mandekar said teeth and jaw implants are constructed using titanium, which easily fuses to the human jawbone. “It looks like normal teeth and jaw. Titanium implant is strong, sturdy enough and acts as natural teeth,” she said. The success rate of a titanium implant is from 95% to 98%, which is very good.
A Ray Of Hope
GDC Nagpur’s Mucormycosis Rehabilitation Centre will be 1st of its kind in state
Initially, maxillofacial surgeries of 70 mucor survivors who lost their jaws, teeth will be conducted
Titanium implants, having up to 98% success rate, will be used
Patients who got operated for mucor at GMC and AIIMS will get benefit first
For needy patients, mucor rehabilitation expenses to be covered by divisional administration
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