Oral Pathology

 

The entire oral cavity is lined with a special type of skin called mucosa. Healthy mucosa is smooth, soft, and pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for the presence of a pathological process. Pathological changes are called “lesions” and can have a wide spectrum of causes, the most serious of which is oral cancer. The majority of oral lesions are not serious, buy any changes should be examined by your oral surgeon. 

If you notice any of the following abnormalities in your mouth, it is recommended you follow up with a dental professional for evaluation:

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  • Red and/or white patches 

  • Sore or ulceration that fails to heal 

  • Lumps or bumps on the tongue, lips, or gums

  • Expansion or changes in the shape of the jawbone  

At your consultation appointment, your oral surgeon will perform a thorough head and neck examination to look for any abnormalities and carefully assess the area in question. Based on the clinical findings, your surgeon may recommend a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue so that it can be analyzed under a microscope by an oral pathologist in a laboratory. After the pathologist examines the lesion, a definitive diagnosis is made. 

Depending on the appearance of the lesion, the initial biopsy may remove the lesion completely or just a small piece of the lesion. If only a portion of the lesion was removed during the biopsy, you may need another surgical procedure to remove the remaining lesion after a diagnosis is made. 

Abnormal lesion in the oral cavity are most often discovered by your dentist during routine dental visits. For this reason, it is very important to visit your dentist for an oral examination every 6 months. 

For patient comfort we offer three anesthesia options to our patients undergoing oral biopsy: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, and general anesthesia. Anesthesia options will be discussed with you during your consultation visit. All our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques. More information about anesthesia options can be found on our Anesthesia Page.