PATIENT INFORMATION

  Dental Implants
  Wisdom Teeth
  Facial Trauma
  Bone Grafting
  Oral Pathology
  Orthognathic Surgery
  TMJ Disorder
  Sleep Apnea

Oral Pathology

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in the appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.

The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth:

• Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth.
• A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily.
• A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth.
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness.
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate and gum tissue around the teeth, jaws, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathological lesions, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer.

However, any patient with changes in size, consistancy, or color, within the oral cavity and facial regions should consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to rule out abnormality.

We recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so help may be provided.