Procedures

Oral Pathology

Inside the mouth, the bone of the upper and lower jaws is lined by a special type of skin called mucosa that is smooth and pink in appearance. Sometimes there may be changes in the appearance of the oral mucosa such as swellings, lumps, sores, and reddish or whitish color changes. These can occur on the lips, cheeks, palate, tongue, and gums around the teeth. There may be associated with pain, but not always. There can be various reasons for these changes, some being more serious than others. The pathology can be located in the mucosa of the mouth or in the underlying jawbone.

A biopsy may be recommended to determine the specific cause and to ensure that it is not something serious like oral cancer. Any alteration in the normal appearance of your mouth should be evaluated by your dentist and/or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine if a biopsy is indicated.