Oral Pathology
 If you have noticed a change in the tissues of your mouth, have it looked at. Most of what we examine turns out to be harmless, but the only way to know is an evaluation. At Oral Surgery Specialists of Buda in Buda, our oral surgeons assess tissue changes, perform biopsies where they are warranted, and explain what the results mean.
Oral pathology is the area of practice concerned with disease of the mouth, jaws, and salivary glands. Changes worth having examined include lumps, sores, rough or thickened patches, discoloration, numbness, and persistent tenderness.
When to Have a Change in Your Mouth Examined
The general rule is two weeks. Ordinary irritations such as a bitten cheek, a canker sore, or a spot rubbed by a denture usually resolve within that time. Anything still present after two weeks should be evaluated.
Arrange an evaluation sooner if you notice:
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A sore that bleeds easily or will not heal
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A white or red patch that cannot be wiped away
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A lump or thickening in the cheek, lip, tongue, or neck
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Numbness or persistent pain with no clear cause
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Difficulty swallowing, or a sensation that something is caught in the throat
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A change in how your teeth or a denture fit together |
Risk is higher for patients who use tobacco in any form, drink heavily, have a history of HPV infection, or have had oral cancer previously. If any of those apply to you, do not wait out the two weeks.
What Happens at an Oral Pathology Evaluation
We examine the tissues of your mouth along with your head, neck, and the lymph nodes beneath your jaw. We ask about your medical history and about every medication and supplement you take, since a number of common prescriptions produce oral side effects.
Many findings can be identified by examination alone. Where imaging is useful, our cone beam CT and 3D imaging shows the jawbone in detail. When a lesion has features that cannot be identified visually, or has not behaved the way a harmless lesion should, we recommend a biopsy.
What an Oral Biopsy Involves
A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. It is the only way to reach a definitive diagnosis, and it is a routine procedure in an oral surgery office.
The Procedure
Most oral biopsies take fifteen to thirty minutes and are performed under local anesthetic. The area is numbed, a small sample is taken, and the site is closed with dissolvable sutures where needed. Our anesthesia options include sedation for patients who would prefer it.
Types of Biopsy
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Incisional Biopsy - A representative portion of a larger lesion is removed for diagnosis.
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Excisional Biopsy - The entire lesion is removed, which diagnoses and treats it in a single visit. Common for smaller lesions.
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Punch Biopsy - A small circular instrument takes a full-thickness sample of soft tissue.
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Fine Needle Aspiration - A thin needle draws cells or fluid from a swelling or a suspected cyst.
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Bone Biopsy - A sample of jawbone is taken when imaging shows an abnormality within the bone. |
Which approach is appropriate depends on the size, location, and appearance of the lesion. We explain the choice before we begin.
How Results Are Determined
The specimen is sent to a laboratory where an oral and maxillofacial pathologist, a specialist trained specifically in diagnosing disease of the mouth and jaws, examines it microscopically. Results generally take three to seven business days. We contact you as soon as the report arrives, explain what it says in plain language, and outline what comes next.
Recovery
Most patients return to normal activity the same day. Expect mild soreness for a few days, manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Keep to soft foods and avoid disturbing the site while it heals. Our guidance on what to eat after oral surgery applies here as well.
What We Diagnose and Treat
Benign Lesions
The great majority of what we examine is benign. Canker sores, fibromas caused by chronic irritation, mucoceles, and denture-related lesions are all common. Some resolve without treatment; others are removed in a single visit.
Cysts and Tumors of the Jaw
Growths within the jawbone are often discovered on routine imaging before they produce any symptoms. Most are benign, but they can expand and damage bone and adjacent teeth if left alone. Our page on treatment for oral cysts and tumors covers diagnosis and removal in more detail.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is uncommon, and early diagnosis changes the outcome substantially. That is the reason for the two-week rule, and the reason we biopsy rather than watch when a lesion has concerning features. Where a malignancy is identified, we coordinate promptly with the appropriate specialists for treatment.
Oral Effects of Medication
Prescription medications account for a large share of the changes patients notice. Dry mouth is a side effect of hundreds of drugs, including antihistamines and antidepressants, and it raises the risk of decay and infection. Certain blood pressure medications and hormonal contraceptives can cause the gums to overgrow or become inflamed. This is why we ask for a complete medication list.
Oral Pathology and Biopsy in Buda, TX
If something in your mouth has changed and has not returned to normal, have it examined. Most of the time the answer is reassuring, and when it is not, finding out early matters a great deal.
Call Oral Surgery Specialists of Buda at (737) 335-0017 to schedule an evaluation.
FAQs
Does a biopsy mean you think I have cancer?
No. A biopsy is how we find out what something is, and the large majority come back benign. We recommend one when a lesion cannot be identified by examination alone, which is a reason to check rather than a reason to worry.
Is an oral biopsy painful?
The area is fully numbed with local anesthetic, so the procedure itself is not painful. Afterward most patients have mild soreness for a few days that responds to over-the-counter pain relief. Sedation is available if you would prefer it.
How long do biopsy results take?
Generally three to seven business days, depending on the type of analysis required. We contact you as soon as the laboratory report arrives rather than waiting for your follow-up visit.
The spot in my mouth does not hurt. Should I still have it checked?
Yes. Pain is a poor guide with oral lesions, and the most serious ones are frequently painless in their early stages. Anything that has persisted beyond two weeks is worth an evaluation whether or not it is uncomfortable. |
