Oral Pathology Procedure

Reno, NV

Oral Pathology

Oral Pathology is the diagnosis and treatment of oral disease or disorder. The sooner signs of disease or disorders are caught, the better. Looking for these signs is one of the many reasons a regular dental exam is so important to your health. Our team at Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is here to help you in finding possible troublesome spots and then receiving the correct instruction or care to alleviate the problem.

As a standard, dentists have been one of the first medical professionals to note signs of possible oral cancers. It is a regular part of your checkup appointments, and it is so simple that you may not even notice that we have done it. We simply look for signs of anything amiss or out of the normal through visual examination with a probe. If something is spotted, further examination is done, both through radiology or possibly through a simple biopsy.

What Are You Looking For That Could Indicate A Problem?

The inner soft tissue of your mouth, known as the mucosa, is known by its smooth and pink appearance. Changes to the appearance of this skin could be a warning sign that something is wrong, with the most serious possibility being oral cancer. During your examination, we will look for anything out of the ordinary, paying specific attention to the following signs:
  • White Bumps: Patches of white bumps, or Leukoplakia found in the soft tissues, including the tongue is a reaction to chronic irritation of the mucous membranes. It can arise the from rubbing of braces, dentures, or fillings, though it can also be a sign of decreased ability to heal or oral cancer.
  • Red Bumps: Patches of red bumps, or erythroplasia, can be found in the soft tissues of your mouth, or on your tongue. Though the exact cause is unknown, it has been associated with older men who smoke or heavily drink. Because this condition could be an indication of cancer, a simple biopsy is needed to determine if further treatment is needed.
  • Thickening of the Tissue: Unknown thickening or the buildup of scar tissue could be a sign that a cell is overproducing, also known as a possibly cancerous growth.
  • Lumps or Bumps: Like thickened tissue, lumps or bumps may also be a sign of possible cancerous cells.
  • Changes to your Voice: Changes such as hoarseness or in pitch can be an indication of a larger issues.
  • Difficulty in Swallowing: The closing of your air passage, or pain when swallowing can be an indication of a larger issue.
Changes to your gum tissue, palate, cheeks, lips, face, tongue, or neck, whether painful or not, should be discussed with one of our surgeons during your checkup. The presence of pain or the lack of pain is not an indication of cancer, further examination or testing may be needed.

Treating Oral Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, we will then discuss the next necessary steps based on your needs. We may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Preceding treatment, it may be necessary to address other oral health issues, this will reduce the incidence of post-therapeutic complications.

The mouth has been known to serve as one of the most important warning systems of the body. Your oral health is often a telling sign of your overall health. You should always be on the lookout for signs of changes in your mouth. Never ignore a suspicious sore or lump. If you've noticed a change that you feel could be a sign of a change in your oral pathology, don't hesitate to call us at (775) 430-5355. We'll set up a consultation to find out exactly what's going on in your mouth.
Please call us today at (775) 853-9696 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to seeing you smile!
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Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center