Symptoms that arise in the mouth or facial structures can be warning signs for larger issues within the body. The mouth is responsible for a wide variety of crucial functions, such as eating, drinking, breathing, and speaking. All these activities increase the mouth's risk of infection and other problems, so it’s important to attend regular checkups and perform self-exams to prevent signs of disease from going unnoticed.
Not all early symptoms of a pathological process are uncomfortable or painful, so it’s important to note any changes in the look or feel of the inner lining of your mouth. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, we encourage you to contact our office for an oral examination:
The appropriate next step depends on the condition and may involve observation, medication, biopsy, surgical treatment, or coordination with another specialist.
Your surgeon will evaluate the abnormal area and surrounding tissues. When more detail is needed, 3D imaging can provide detailed views of the jaws and surrounding structures to assist with diagnosis and treatment planning.
If an area cannot be confidently diagnosed through examination or imaging alone, your surgeon may recommend a biopsy.
During an oral biopsy, a small sample of tissue—or in some cases, the entire lesion—is removed for examination by a pathology laboratory. This allows your care team to determine more precisely what the tissue represents and whether additional treatment is necessary.
After your procedure, follow the oral biopsy post-operative instructions provided by our team to help protect the biopsy site as it heals.
Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons has cared for patients throughout Southern Arizona for more than 50 years. Our board-certified oral surgeons have advanced training in diagnosing and treating conditions involving the mouth, jaws, and facial structures.
For patients referred for oral pathology, this expertise supports the full process from evaluating an unusual finding to performing a biopsy or surgical treatment when needed and helping patients understand the next steps after a diagnosis.
No. A biopsy is a diagnostic tool used to identify what an abnormal area of tissue represents. Many oral lesions are benign or related to other conditions. The pathology results help your surgeon determine whether treatment or additional evaluation is necessary.
Anesthesia is used to keep the biopsy area comfortable during the procedure. Depending on the location and extent of the biopsy, you may experience some soreness, swelling, or tenderness afterward. Your surgical team will provide instructions for caring for the area as it heals.
The length of the procedure depends on the location, size, and type of tissue being evaluated. Your surgeon will explain what to expect after examining the area and determining the appropriate biopsy approach.
Most biopsy specimens are sent to a pathology laboratory for examination. AZOMS typically reviews the pathology report with you at a post-operative visit around one week after the procedure, although timing can vary depending on the case.
If a cyst or tumor is determined to be non-cancerous, surgical removal may be recommended. Your surgeon will discuss whether removal is necessary and any additional treatment or follow-up that may be appropriate.
Changes such as red or white patches, sores that do not heal or bleed easily, lumps, thickened tissue, persistent hoarseness, or difficulty chewing or swallowing should be brought to the attention of your dentist or oral surgeon. An examination can determine whether further testing is needed.
