Oral Diagnosis and Biopsies
Wylie, Texas
An oral biopsy involves “a tissue sample gathered from an abnormality in the mouth and is sent to a lab to undergo further testing.” Dentists recommend this procedure when visual examination, X-rays, and symptom analysis alone cannot establish a diagnosis.
Common Oral Diseases Tested
The pathologist examines samples for various conditions including:
- Oral cancer: Growths or persistent sores affecting lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, sinuses, or throat
- Leukoplakia: Thickened white patches on oral tissues
- Lichen planus: Chronic inflammation causing white lacy patches or red swollen tissue
- Mucous membrane pemphigoid: Autoimmune disease creating lesions
- Pregnancy tumors: Raised nodules
Systemic diseases like diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and heart disease may also produce oral abnormalities.
Biopsy Methods
Six techniques exist for sample collection:
- Aspiration: Needle extraction
- Brush: Circular brush collecting cellular material
- Excisional: Complete removal of small benign lesions under one centimeter
- Incisional: Sampling larger lesions from multiple areas
- Punch: Circular blade creating tissue samples
