Oral Pathology

The inside of a healthy mouth is a coral pink color and feels smooth. However, if you notice any changes in the way that your mouth looks, feels, or functions, it’s important to get an evaluation by a qualified dental health professional. While many changes are nothing to worry about, some changes—such as oral cancer—should be treated right away.

Dr. Sherban is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is trained to detect and manage oral diseases. If you have noticed any changes in or around your mouth, please contact our office for an oral health evaluation.

Signs & Symptoms

Many changes in the mouth present with few, if any, symptoms, so it’s easy for these changes to go unnoticed. Your dentist will perform an oral health evaluation during your regular dental checkups, so it is important to keep those appointments.

However, a pathological process can happen at any time, and the sooner a change is detected and treated, the better. We recommend that you perform a self-exam of your mouth every month. It only takes a minute or two: check your tongue, cheeks, gums, the roof of your mouth, and the lymph nodes under your jaw. Checking every month will also help you become familiar with how your mouth normally appears; if you notice a change, please make an appointment with us right away.

Common signs and symptoms of a pathological process include:

• A sore that does not heal, or a sore that bleeds easily
• Red or white patches
• Any lump or thickening of tissue in the mouth
• A lump on the neck
• Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A hoarse voice or sore throat that won’t go away
• Numbness

If you notice any change to your mouth, please contact our office for an evaluation.

Treatment for Oral Disease

At The Regional Center for Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, we create customized treatment plans for every patient. To determine the course of treatment for oral pathology, your surgeon will discuss your concern, review your medical history, and perform an oral evaluation. 3D scans may be taken.

If a biopsy is necessary, a small tissue sample will be collected and sent to a lab for further examination and diagnosis. Local anesthesia will be used to ensure you are comfortable throughout this minimally invasive procedure. Your oral surgeon will create a treatment plan based on the pathologist’s findings.

For non-cancerous (benign) findings, creams, medications, mouth rinses, or removal of the growth may be recommended. Medications, chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery may be recommended if the finding is cancerous. Once your detailed treatment plan has been created, your oral surgeon will review it with you and give you time to ask any questions you may have.