At Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we offer the full range of services related to soft tissue surgery, from the initial biopsy and diagnosis of the soft tissue irregularity to the removal of tumors, cysts, and other lesions. Many people who would benefit from these services, however, do not get the chance because they do not undergo routine oral exams. This is particularly unfortunate because most premalignant or precancerous oral lesions do not produce symptoms in their earliest stages, when they are most easily treated. By the time they do produce symptoms, inevitably some damage has already been done.
If you take one lesson away from reading this blog article, let it be this: undergo a thorough oral examination at least twice a year as recommended by the American Dental Association. This is the only way to ensure that potentially serious oral health problems are detected in their earliest stages. Whether soft tissue irregularities such as lesions are identified at our Bolingbrook, IL practice or patients are referred to our practice for soft tissue surgery by other dentists, our oral surgeons care most that patients receive treatment in a timely manner.
Have you undergone an oral exam within the past year? If the answer is “no,” or if you are in need of an experienced oral surgeon to perform soft tissue surgery for an oral lesion, then please contact Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center today.
WHAT IS AN ORAL LESION?
“Lesion” is a general term that can refer to any abnormal growth or tissue, in this case within the mouth. In many cases, oral lesions are harmless and can easily be categorized according to their appearance. These lesions are not at risk of developing into cancer and generally do not require treatment, unless they are causing pain. However, especially in their early stages, most lesions do not produce symptoms. Indeed, many patients do not even realize that they have lesions until they are diagnosed.
WHAT ARE SUSPICIOUS LESIONS?
As stated above, many lesions can easily be identified and categorized according to their appearance. Others, however, may cause our oral surgeons to become suspicious. Lesions that are red, white, or a combination of the two and that do not conform to known categories of harmless lesions could arouse suspicion. These lesions may appear on the insides of the cheeks or lips, the sides of the tongue, under the tongue, the floor or roof of the mouth, the back of the mouth, the top of the throat, or the gums.
When a suspicious lesion is discovered, a small piece of the lesion is biopsied and submitted for microscopic examination by a pathologist. Most often, the diagnosis is benign. In cases of premalignant and cancerous diagnoses, a treatment plan is then discussed and established.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOFT TISSUE IRREGULARITIES
To learn more about lesions and other soft tissue irregularities, we encourage you to contact the oral surgeons of Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center today.