Biopsies
An oral biopsy helps your dentist detect, and ultimately treat, oral cancer and other diseases as early as possible.
Schedule with UsWhat is an Oral Biopsy?
A tissue or bone biopsy may be necessary to assess for dental or non-dental pathology.
Why Would I Need an Oral Biopsy?
If during your oral examination, your dentist finds abnormalities or signs of disease in your mouth, lips, tongue, or throat, your dentist may choose to perform an oral biopsy. A biopsy helps your dentist be proactive in taking care of your oral health and can detect oral cancer or other issues and determine if lesions are cancerous or benign (noncancerous).
Types of Biopsies
There are two types of oral biopsies that your dentist may use to assess and diagnose an abnormality:
Incisional biopsy
A piece of tissue from the lesion is removed along with a healthy piece of tissue from another nearby area of your mouth. The two pieces are then compared.
Excisional biopsy
Unlike an incisional biopsy, an excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion. Dentists typically opt for this method with small growths in easy-to-access areas of the mouth.
If you have been experiencing oral discomfort or pain, or have noticed changes in your mouth, and need a dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida, please call {{mainPhone)) to schedule a consultation. Our dedicated dentists are knowledgeable in the latest dental technologies and techniques and are known for their calm, gentle approach to dentistry.
Biopsies FAQs
An oral biopsy involves your dentist removing some of your gum or mouth tissue, which is then sent to a lab for further examination to aid in a diagnosis.
Oral biopsies can help determine if abnormal tissue or a lesion is benign, preancerous, or cancerous.
When you undergo an oral biopsy, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, your dentist will remove a small piece of the tissue or the entire abnormality to be sent in for closer examination. Once the sample is removed, your dentist will suture the incision, if necessary, to aid in proper healing.
There are two types of oral biopsies: incisional and excisional. Incisional biopsies remove a small piece of tissue to be examined, while excisional biopsies remove the entire affected/abnormal area.
After an oral biopsy, it's important to follow your dentist's recovery instructions exactly. After your biopsy, you may feel mild discomfort. To relieve the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You may also have some minor bleeding, so continue using the gauze provided by your dentist. During the recovery phase, continue practicing good oral hygiene, but avoid the biopsy site and be gentle while brushing around it.