Meet Ruth Aponte Wesson, D.D.S.
Ruth A. Aponte Wesson, DDS, MS, FACP, FAAMP
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Aponte Wesson
Dr. Ruth Aponte Wesson is a Professor in the Oral Oncology and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics section at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, she works with diverse colleagues in Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Plastics, Speech Pathology, Lymphoma/Myeloma, Leukemia/Breast medical oncology among others. As a team member of the oral oncology service she has the unique opportunity to help prevent and manage multiple oral morbidities related the various lines of cancer treatments, particularly those related to Head and Neck cancers. She collaborates in several departmental research projects. She has helped collect data for outcome assessments inventories in the department. One of the preliminary studies from this data set highlights dysgeusia as one of the morbidities affecting the long-term oropharyngeal cancer survivors. Other areas of interests have been related to oral morbidities from novel targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Another of her passions focusses on the prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient after head and neck cancer treatment. In this arena she has studied different materials used in the rehabilitation of intra oral defects. Her former clinical and academic experience has helped her to be a dynamic mentor to the fellows in the Maxillofacial Programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She conducts the literature review of the program and oversees the fellows in the clinical rotations.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, USA, MS, Clinical Dentistry |
| 1995 | University of Los Andes, Merida, Merida, VEN, DDS, Dental Surgery |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2000 | Clinical Residency, Maxillofacial Prosthetics Program, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL |
| 1996-1999 | Clinical Residency, Advanced Prosthodontic Training, University of Alabama, School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL |
Board Certifications
| 2016 | American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics - Fellow |
| 2013 | Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations, National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I |
| 2013 | Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations, National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part II |
| 2010 | American Board of Prosthodontics |
| 2007 | Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2021
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Faculty Practice, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 2010 - 2013
Member - Clinical Affairs Committee, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 2009 - 2013
Chair - Awards Committee, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 2006 - 2008
Member - Curriculum Committee, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 2006 - 2013
Member - Faculty Council, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 2005 - 2006
Chair - Diversity Committee, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 2004 - 2005
Institutional Committee Activities
Committee Member, Division of Surgery Innovation Committee, 2020 - Present
Committee Member, Academic Review Committee for the Division of Education & Training, 2020 - 2023
Super User, Electronic Health Record (EHR) Provider, 2019 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Top 10% Provider: Fiscal Year 2022, Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS) | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 | Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, Section of Oral Oncology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | Star of the South Dental Meeting - Scientific Table Clinic Specialist Category First Place Winner, Greater Houston Dental Society |
| 2020 | Star of the South Dental Meeting - Cooksey Award - Scientific Table Specialist and Dentist Category Overall Winner, Greater Houston Dental Society |
| 2020 | Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, Section of Oral Oncology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery,, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, Section of Oral Oncology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 | Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, Section of Oral Oncology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2005 | Minority Research Day Competition, First place best abstract, The University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Alqarni H, Montgomery P, Aponte-Wesson R, Won AM, Hofstede TM, Chambers MS. Combined Rehabilitation of a Low Lip Defect After Resection of the Floor of the Mouth Cancer: A Clinical Report. J Prosthet Dent S0022-3913(21):00150-5, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33867164.
- Srivastava A, Chambers MS, Aponte-Wesson R. Bilabial-protruding, mouth-opening, tongue-depressing stent for proton radiation therapy. J Prosthet Dent S0022-3913(21):00104-9, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33814095.
- Michaud PL, Aponte-Wesson R,. Management of atypical occlusal discrepancy after condylar resection: A Clinical Report. J Prosthet Dent. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36210191.
- Aponte-Wesson R, Knott J, Montgomery P, Chambers MS. Floor of mouth prosthesis with removable depressible tongue: A clinical report. J Prosthet Dent 21(S0022-3913):00004-4, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33608105.
- Alqarni H, Kattadiyil MT,Aponte Wesson R, Alfaifi M, Alsayed H. Integration of intraoral scanning and conventional processing to fabricate a definitive obturator: A dental technique. J Prosthet Dent 126(4):596-599, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32988612.
- Srivastava A,Aponte Wesson R. Synchronous trauma-induced and spontaneous osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with targeted therapy: A Case Report Decisions in Dentistry. Decisions in Dentistry 7(2):32-35, 2021.
- Chi W, Myers JN, Frank SJ, Aponte-Wesson R, Otun AO, Nogueras-Gonzalez GM, Li Y, Geng Y, Chambers MS. The Effects of Zinc on Radiation-Induced Dysgeusia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer 28(12):1-12, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32642950.
- MD Anderson Head and Neck Surgery Treatment Guidelines Consortium, Consortium members, Maniakas A, Jozaghi Y, Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM, Su SY, Gillenwater AM, Gidley PW, Lewis CM, Diaz E, Goepfert RP, Kupferman ME, Gross ND, Hessel AC, Pytynia KB, Nader NE,, Wang JR, Lango MN, Kiong KL, Guo T, Zhao X, Yao CMKL, Appelbaum E, Alpard J, Garcia JA, Terry S, Flynn JE, Bauer S, Fournier D, Burgess CG, Wideman C, Johnston M, You C, DeLuna R, Joseph L, Diersing J, Prescott K, Heiberger K, Mugartegui L, Rodriguez J, Zendehel S, Sellers J, Friddell RA, Thomas A, Khanjae SJ, Schwarzlose KB, Chambers MS, Hofstede TM, Cardoso RC,Aponte-Wesson R, Won A, Otun AO, Gombos DS, Al-Zubidi N, Hutcheson KA, Gunn GB, Rosenthal DI, Gillison ML, Ferrarotto R, Weber RS, Hanna EY, Myers JN, Lai SY. Surgery Treatment Guidelines Consortium: Head and Neck Surgical Oncology in the Time of a Pandemic: Subsite-specific triage guidelines during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Head and Neck 42(6):1194 - 1201, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32342541.
- Aponte-Wesson R, Khadivi AA, Cardoso RC, Chambers MS. An alternative impression technique for capturing anatomic undercuts to rehabilitate a patient with a total maxillectomy: A clinical report. J Prosthet Dent 122(4):412-416, 2019. PMID: 32642950.
- Chi WJ, Hanasono MM, Hofstede TM, Aponte-Wesson RA. Prosthodontic treatment of a patient with Ewing sarcoma of the left maxillary sinus: A clinical report. J Prosthet Dent 121(4):698-702, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30503146.
- Won AM, Boddu P, Otun AO, Aponte-Wesson R, Chambers M. Chronic myelogenous leukemia presenting with osteonecrosis of jaw as a rare but debilitating toxicity of dasatinib: A case report and literature review. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 126(4):S2212-4403(18)30952-0, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29941400.
- Aponte-Wesson R, Garden AS, Chambers MS. Fabrication of an Unconventional Bolus-Type Stent for a Combined intraoral/extraoral Defect Treated with Proton Radiation Therapy. J Prosthet Dent 117(4):563-565, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27881320.
- Won AM, Montgomery P, Aponte-Wesson R, Chambers MS. Implant-supported and Magnet-Retained Oral-Nasal Combination Prosthesis in a Patient with a Total Rhinectomy and Partial Maxillectomy Due to Cancer: A Clinical Report. J. Prosthet Dent 117(2):315 - 320, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27666495.
- Sadid-Zadeh R, Stylianou, A, Aponte-Wesson R. Prosthetic Management of an Existing Transmandibular Implant: A Clinical Report. J Adv Prosthodont 17, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Sadid-Zadeh R, Liu PR, Aponte-Wesson R, O'Neal SJ. Maxillary cement retained implant supported monolithic zirconia prosthesis in a full mouth rehabilitation: a clinical report. J Adv Prosthodont 5(2):209-17, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23755349.
- Sadid-Zadeh R, O'Neal SJ, Liu PR, Aponte-Wesson R. A technique for verifying implant analog positions in the definitive cast. J Prosthet Dent 109(3):192-7, 2013. PMID: 23522369.
- Aponte-Wesson R. Commentary: Esthetic and functional rehabilitation of a bilateral cleft palate patient with fixed prosthodontic therapy. J Esthet Restor Dent 24(4):245, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22863128.
- Holmes JD, Aponte-Wesson R. Dental implants after reconstruction with free tissue transfer. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 22(3):407-18, vii, 2010. PMID: 20713271.
- Aponte-Wesson R, Carroll W, Waite P, Seidenfaden JC. Interim obturator retained by an extraoral device: a clinical report. J Prosthodont 17(7):582-5, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18761574.
- Reddy MS, O'Neal SJ, Haigh S, Aponte-Wesson R, Geurs NC. Initial clinical efficacy of 3-mm implants immediately placed into function in conditions of limited spacing. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 23(2):281-8, 2008. PMID: 18548925.
- McCracken MS, Aponte-Wesson R, Chavali R, Lemons JE. Bone associated with implants in diabetic and insulin-treated rats. Clin Oral Implants Res 17(5):495-500, 2006. PMID: 16958687.
- McCracken MS, Aponte-Wesson R, O'Neal SJ, Rajdev K. Low-cost implant overdenture option for patients treated in a predoctoral dental school curriculum. J Dent Educ 70(6):662-6, 2006. PMID: 16741134.
- Cox L, Brown DT, Aponte R, Hsu YT. Joint vibration analysis protocol modification: adding mandibular excursive movements. Cranio 17(3):213-20, 1999. PMID: 10650409.
- Chi W, Myers JN, Frank SJ, Aponte-Wesson R, Otun AO, Nogueras-Gonzalez GM, Li Y, Geng Y, Chambers MS. The Effect of Zinc on Radiation Induced Dysgeusia: A Meta-Analysis. JADA.
- Won AM, Aponte-Wesson R, Chambers MS. A Simple Flap Guard for Protection of Intraoral Anterolateral Thigh Flap Construction. JPRAS Open.
- Won AM, Hofstede TM, Chambers MS, Aponte-Wesson R. Destruction of the hard palate and oral nasal communication caused by previous treatment with sunitinib and zoledronic acid: Case Report. J. Med Case Rep.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- . Master's Thesis, Performance of Different Cellular Phone Applications for Color Measurement of Dental Materials, 2022.
Other Articles
- Louis PJ, Aponte-Wesson R, Fernandes RP, Clemow J Autogenous and prosthetic reconstruction of the ear. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 25(2):271-86, 2013. PMID: 23522966.
Abstracts
- Michaud P, Aponte Wesson R. Fabricating a Maxillary Obturator with Minimal Weight Using Embedded Lid. Poster presented at the Oral Oncology Symposium 2022, 2022.
- Diaz-Arana J, Aponte Wesson R. Dental Management Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. Poster presented at the Oral Oncology Symposium 2022, 2022.
- Basunbul C., Cody R, Kapser K, Aponte Wesson R. Tracking Tooth Movement with Digital Technology Post Total Glossectomy. Poster presented at the Oral Oncology Symposium 2022, 2022.
- Rivera-Rivera LP, Alqarni H, Nguyen C, Montgomery P, Hofstede TM, Aponte-Wesson R. Digital Planning and Fabrication of an Oral Surgical Splint for Implant Uncovering. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2020, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2/2020, 2020.
- Alqarni H, Knott J, Aponte Wesson R, Chambers MS. Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Patient After Tongue Cancer. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2020, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2/2020, 2020.
- Aquino E, Kupferman M, Hanasono M, Hofstede TM, Aponte Wesson R. Midface Reconstruction with Virtual Planning Fibula Free Flap Reconstruction and Fixed Partial Prosthesis: Paradigm Shift from Analog to Digital. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2020, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2/2020, 2020.
- Srivastava A, Aponte Wesson R, Chambers MS. Concurrent trauma-induced and spontaneous osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with targeted therapy: A Case Report. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2019, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2019, 2019.
- Alshehri A, Aponte Wesson R, Chambers MS. Enhanced Retention of Maxillary Obturator Prosthesis by Engaging the Nasal Floor. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2019, Star of the South Annual Session, 2/2019, 2019.
- Chi W, Myers JN, Frank SJ, Aponte Wesson R, Otun AO. The Effect of Zinc on Radiation Induced Dysgeusia: A Meta-Analysis. Presented at American College of Prosthodontics (ACP), 2018.
- Chi W, Myers JN, Frank SJ, Aponte Wesson R, Otun AO. The Effect of Zinc on Radiation Induced Dysgeusia: A Meta-Analysis. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2018, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2/2018, 2018.
- Chi W, Aponte Wesson R, Otun AO. Prosthodontic Treatment of a Patient with Ewing's Sarcoma of Maxillary Left Sinus. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2018, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 02/2018, 2018.
- Chi W, Hanasono M, Hofstede TM, Aponte-Wesson R. Prosthodontic Treatment of a Patient with Ewing Sarcoma of Left Maxillary Sinus: A Clinical Report. Presented at AAMP Conference 2018, 2018.
- AlFuraih M, Aponte Wesson R, Chambers MS. Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: A Mandibular Reconstruction Case Report Limitation and Challenges. Poster presented at the Proceeding of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2017, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, Texas 2017, 2017.
- Medina J, Chambers M, Cardoso R, Otun A, Aponte Wesson R. Palatal Augmentation Prosthesis Comparing Hollowing Techniques for Weight Reduction. Presented at ISMR-AAMP Conference 2017, 2017.
- Won A, Aponte Wesson R, Montgomery P, Wesley P, Chambers MS. Implant-Supported and Magnet Retained Oral-Nasal Combination Prosthesis of a Patient with Total Rhinectomy and Partial Maxillectomy Due to Cancer: A Clinical Report. Poster presented at the Proceedings of the Star of the South Dental Meeting 2015, Star of the South Annual Session, Houston, TX 1/2015, 2015.
- Sadid-Zadeh R, Aponte Wesson R, Liu PR, O'Neal SJ.. Implant Supported Monolithic Zirconia Maxillary Restoration in a Full Mouth Rehabilitation: A Clinical Report, 2013.
- Sadid-Zadeh R, O'Neal SJ, Liu PR, Aponte Wesson R. Verification of analog position on the definitive case in cement retrained implant supported prosthesis, 2012.
Book Chapters
- Cardoso RC, Hofstede TM, Montgomery P, Martin JW, Garden AS, Aponte-Wesson R, Chambers MS. Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. In: Cancer of the Head and Neck. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia, 2016.
- Aponte R, Martin J, Cardoso R, Hofstede T, Chambers MS. Head and Neck Cancer: Multimodality Management. In: Oral Oncology. 2nd. Springer: New York, 429-443, 2016.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified November 14, 2024