Oral Pathology

Detect, Diagnose, and Treat Oral Disease

An oral and maxillofacial pathology is a disease or infection in the mouth, jaws, or related structures. It’s very important to take note of any change in the normal condition of the lining of your mouth, called the mucosa. When oral pathologies/diseases are caught early they are more easily treated by your oral surgeon. Oral diseases range from simple canker sores to more serious issues such as oral cancer.

If you think you may have an oral pathology, we recommend you see your oral surgeon as soon as possible so that they can diagnose the problem and form a treatment plan. The doctors at Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery are specialists in diagnosing and treating oral pathologies.

How Oral Pathologies Are Diagnosed

If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from an oral pathology, you may have a biopsy during your oral examination. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue that is removed and sent to a pathologist’s lab for confirmation of a diagnosis. Generally, a biopsy procedure only requires anesthesia in the location of the biopsy (local anesthesia) and usually only requires a regular office appointment. Your doctor will determine the next course of treatment based on the pathologist’s findings.

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Signs and Symptoms of an Oral Pathology

There are a few things to look out for that could indicate a possible pathology. If you notice any of these changes in your mouth, call one of our offices right away for an examination:

• Sores that bleed or are slow to heal
• Recurrent swelling
• Red or white patches on gums, tongue, or cheeks
• Lumps in the mouth or on the neck
• Changes in color, texture, or shape of the lining of the mouth (mucosa)
• Persistent soreness or hoarseness in the throat
• Ongoing earache
• Pain in or around the mouth with no visible cause

Oral and facial pathologies will sometimes have no painful symptoms in the early stages, so regular checkups with a dental professional are recommended for catching pathologies early. If you notice any signs of a pathology in your mouth, including the tongue, tonsils, salivary glands, cheeks, lips, palate, and gums, please contact Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery so that we can see you as soon as possible.

Treatment for Oral Disease and Oral Cancer

A benign (non-cancerous) lump may simply be removed from anywhere inside of the mouth. If oral cancer is detected, you may undergo chemotherapy or other treatment. Most oral pathologies are benign and treated easily when caught early. Other conditions can be treated with antibiotics and other medications.

Your oral surgeon will help determine the treatment right for you. During your visit, we may take 3D scans of your mouth to assess your oral and facial structures. We offer a variety of anesthesia and sedation options to ensure maximum comfort during any type of oral surgery procedure.

Your health is top priority for the doctors at Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery, so if you suspect an oral pathology, please contact one of our offices, located in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield, so we can schedule an appointment for your oral surgeon to evaluate the area in question as soon as possible.