Facial and Oral Pathology
 As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we are experts at performing a variety of different surgical procedures. We are also extensively knowledgeable in the diagnosis and treatment of other oral diseases. This is known as oral pathology. Oral pathology is commonly associated with oral cancer. At Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center, we can diagnose and treat oral cancer as well as many other diseases that affect the health of your mouth.
Diseases that Affect Your Mouth
With oral pathology, we can diagnose, and provide treatment for, some different oral diseases. These issues include:
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Halitosis, or chronic bad breath.
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Canker and cold sores.
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Leukoplakia. This is a condition that causes areas of excess cell growth in your intraoral tissues.
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Oral thrush. This is a yeast infection that can cause white patches to appear on the tissues inside of your mouth.
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Cysts.
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Complications with salivary glands that cause dry mouth.
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Oral cancer. |
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is the largest group of head and neck cancers. It includes any cancer found on your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, palate, or back of the mouth. Early detection and treatment are essential for getting rid of the disease and restoring your oral health. Later detection reduces your chances of recovery and can be fatal.
One of the biggest issues with oral cancer is that the early stages are often difficult to detect. Many patients do not even know that anything is wrong. This is why routine dental cleanings and exams are so important. Symptoms of oral cancer include:
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Sores that fail to heal.
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Unusual growths.
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Red or white patches in your mouth.
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Trouble eating and swallowing.
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A chronic sore throat or hoarseness in your voice. |
Diagnosis
When abnormalities are found in your mouth, we can diagnose the cause. We begin with a visual examination of your mouth, identifying the characteristics of the abnormality in your mouth. This includes the color of the abnormality, as well as its shape and the border. X-rays or other images may also be taken. These images are important for assessing the extent of the condition and determine if the issue has affected bones.
In some cases, a soft tissue biopsy may also be required. This is a procedure that involves surgically removing a small portion of the abnormality so that we can examine it closely under a microscope. This allows us to see the cells of the tissue to determine the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells.
Treatment
After diagnosing the issue affecting your mouth, we can then formulate a treatment plan to restore your oral health. Based on your diagnosis, surgical management is often needed. Surgery can be used to remove the abnormality completely from your mouth, such as a cancerous lesion. This process may also involve removing a portion of the tissue around the border of the abnormality as well, to ensure that all of the diseases is removed. After treatment, a follow-up appointment allows us to make sure that we have eliminated the issue.
With oral pathology, we can diagnose and effectively treat many different types of diseases that can impact the health of your mouth. For more information, and to schedule your appointment, call Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center today at 925-290-7727.
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Livermore: 925-290-7727
