Oral Endoscopy Center

Established in 2024, China’s first Oral Endoscopy Center focuses on minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders, oral and maxillofacial tumors, non-tumorous salivary gland diseases, and periodontal diseases, strongly promoting the comprehensive application of endoscopy technology across various sub-specialties of stomatology. It has now developed as one of the few medical institutions in China capable of independently performing arthroscopy for temporomandibular joints and fully endoscopic surgeries for maxillofacial tumors.

【Temporomandibular Joint Endoscopy Technology】

Irreducible anterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) primarily manifests clinically as joint clicking, pain, and limited mouth opening. Due to the displacement of the articular disc, condylar bone resorption occurs, often accompanied by varying degrees of mandibular deviation or retrusion deformities, affecting facial aesthetics. For adolescent patients with disc displacement, surgical repositioning of the joint disc can not merely effectively alleviate clinical symptoms but also promote the formation of new bone in the condyle, preventing the occurrence of dentofacial deformities in adulthood. TMJ arthroscopy involves three incisions of about 3 mm each in front of the ear and in the external auditory canal. Under endoscopic visualization, a series of delicate surgical procedures such as joint cavity irrigation, release of anterior disc attachment, and disc repositioning and fixation are performed. Compared with traditional open surgery, endoscopic surgery offers advantages such as minimal trauma, shorter surgical time, faster recovery, and reduced risk of facial nerve damage.

As an advanced medical technique, TMJ endoscopy holds significant potential and advantages. In 2023, our hospital became the first in the province to independently perform TMJ arthroscopy for disc repositioning, marking our leading position in domestic TMJ endoscopic minimally invasive treatment. Careful preoperative evaluation is crucial for the success of endoscopic disc repositioning. Currently, TMJ endoscopic minimally invasive surgery, after thorough preoperative assessment, can be completed on an outpatient basis without hospitalization, significantly reducing patients' time costs.

【Endoscopic Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Tumors】

Traditional surgeries for oral and maxillofacial-head and neck tumors often use a lateral cervical approach, which inevitably leaves noticeable surgical scars. With increasing demands for facial aesthetics, traditional surgeries often fail to meet patients' cosmetic needs, especially among young females. In recent years, minimally invasive surgery led by endoscopic technology has rapidly developed. In 2022, our hospital's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was the first in the province to perform endoscopy-assisted surgeries for submandibular gland and parotid gland tumor resections, removal of oral and maxillofacial foreign bodies, and cervical lymph node dissections. Through continuous exploration and summarization, we have achieved a breakthrough from endoscopy-assisted to fully endoscopic surgeries, effectively promoting the application of minimally invasive surgical techniques in oral and maxillofacial surgery within the province.

Full endoscopic surgeries in the head and neck region offer the following advantages: surgical scars are concealed within the hairline, ensuring good postoperative aesthetic outcomes; clear local visualization and illumination facilitate precise identification of important structures such as the facial nerve, avoiding damage; minimal intraoperative bleeding and tissue trauma lead to faster postoperative recovery. Currently, this technology is primarily applied in the surgical treatment of submandibular gland and parotid gland tumors, benign neck tumors, and oral malignant tumors.

【Salivary Gland Endoscopy Technology】

Salivary gland diseases are common in oral clinical practice, and the application of salivary gland endoscopy technology in these conditions is becoming increasingly widespread. Compared with traditional treatment methods, endoscopy technology offers advantages such as minimal trauma, fewer complications, and faster recovery. Our hospital introduced the advanced modular structured semi-rigid cannula-type ophthalmic endoscopy system from Germany's PolyDiagnost Company in 2017. Currently, the center is equipped with four types of working ends: 1. Metal tube outer diameter 0.55mm, optical resolution reaching 6000 pixels; 2. Cannula outer diameter 0.9mm, optical resolution 10,000 pixels; 3. Cannula outer diameter 1.3mm, optical resolution 30,000 pixels; 4. Cannula outer diameter 0.45mm, optical resolution 3,000 pixels, meeting the instrumental requirements for endoscopic surgeries of the parotid and submandibular glands.

The center now routinely performs salivary gland endoscopy examination, salivary gland endoscopy canal expansion and irrigation, salivary gland endoscopy stone (foreign body) removal, and endoscopy-assisted ductal redirection surgeries. These procedures can be completed under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic, allowing patients to leave immediately without hospitalization.

【Periodontal Endoscopy Technology】

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease of the periodontal supporting tissues caused by plaque microorganisms. It primarily manifests as gingival bleeding, redness and swelling, gingival recession, increased interdental spaces, oral malodor, tooth loosening, and even tooth loss. Severe periodontitis patients often require standardized periodontal treatment, including non-surgical and surgical components. However, periodontal surgical treatment involves significant trauma, and patients often refuse surgery due to intolerance, fear, or severe postoperative reactions, leading to delayed treatment.

With the continuous development of medical technology, the periodontal endoscope has become an important tool for minimally invasive periodontal treatment. By inserting the probe into the periodontal pocket and magnifying the surgical field, it converts optical information into electronic digital information, presenting a dynamic subgingival environment. Compared with traditional subgingival scaling, it achieves a cleaning effect on dental calculus similar to that of periodontal flap surgery. Compared with traditional periodontal flap surgery, it offers minimal trauma, rapid healing, and high patient acceptance. Currently, periodontal debridement under endoscopy is the only non-surgical, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment technology for periodontal diseases that enables real-time visualization of root surfaces. Our hospital's Periodontology Department has taken the lead in conducting subgingival scaling under periodontal endoscopy domestically, achieving excellent clinical outcomes.