An oral biopsy is a medical procedure used to diagnose periodontal disease, oral cancer and other pathogenic dental conditions. When you receive an oral biopsy, our dentists will sterilize a small area of your mouth and administer a local anesthetic. If the sample site is difficult to reach, we may use a general anesthetic that will allow you to sleep through the procedure to give you a more comfortable experience. A small tissue sample will be removed from your mouth and sent to a lab for analysis. This sample will be used to diagnose the cause of problems such as:

• Ulcers, sores or lesions on your gums
• White or red patches on your gums
• Persistent or chronic swelling of the gums
• Changes in your gums that are causing teeth and oral appliances to become loose

Oral biopsies may be used in combination with imaging technology such as X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans. Once the sample has been analyzed, our dentists will be able to create a treatment plan that meets your needs and helps restore your oral health.

Expect your mouth to remain numb for several hours following treatment. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may return to your regular activities and to a normal diet. We recommend that you avoid brushing in the biopsy area for several days, as it may be sore. If your gums bleed, swell or remain sore for more than a few days, contact our office.

If you have any questions about oral biopsies or would like to make an appointment with our dentists, please call our office.