The mouth is lined with a special type of skin that is called mucosa. This is normally moist,
smooth and is pinkish-tan in color. Any alteration in this appearance can be a warning sign for a pathological process. Such alterations in tissue are known as lesions. The most serious of these processes is oral cancer; however, most lesions seen in the mouth are benign, i.e. non cancerous.
The following signs/symptoms may appear once a lesion has begun to develop:
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain may or may not occur with such lesions. Curiously, even oral cancers may not cause any pain. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause should have a professional evaluation.
The method used to check tissue for pathologic changes is called a biopsy. This involves taking all or part of the lesion (a tissue sample) from the mouth with local anesthesia. Suturing may or may not be necessary - if it is, Dr. Perry only uses resorbable sutures that dissolve on their own.
The tissue sample is submitted to the oral pathologist in a preservative (formalin) where it is processed and studied under a microscope. Thus a histopathologic diagnosis is made. Dr. Perry sends most of his biopsies to the Ohio State University Department of Oral Pathology within the College of Dentistry. The diagnosis is usually available within a week following your biopsy procedure. Oral mucosal biopsy wounds normally heal very quickly. A copy of your biopsy report and a treatment summary are sent to your dentist (and also to your physician when appropriate) so that they have a record of your diagnosis and treatment.
For certain types of oral lesions only a swab is made of the affected area. This is either examined with a microscope and/or is cultured for identification of bacterial or fungal organisms.
We recommend performing an oral self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth acts as one of your body's most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact your dentist and us so we may help identify the cause of your concerns.