Oral Pathology

Changes to the inside of your mouth could indicate the presence of a pathological process, the most serious of which is oral cancer. The sooner the abnormality is detected and diagnosed, the better the outcome. At Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery, our oral surgeons detect and treat oral cancer or disease and screen for abnormalities during oral health exams. Dr. Liberty offers oral cancer screenings and treatment in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA, and encourage you to contact us if it’s time for your oral cancer screening.

Signs of a Pathological Process

Oral cancer or disease can present itself in many different forms. If you notice changes to the inside of your mouth or any of these signs, you should contact our office to rule out oral cancer and treat the abnormality promptly:

• Red patches (erythroplasia) or white patches (leukoplakia) anywhere in the mouth
• An oral sore that does not heal or bleeds easily
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A lump or thickening in the lining of the mouth

These signs may appear on the neck, face, lips, cheek, gum tissue, tongue, or roof of the mouth. Oral pathology is not always associated with pain, so just because you are not experiencing discomfort does not mean there is not an issue.

To catch a pathological process early, we recommend performing a self-examination every month. Using a mirror, look at the inside of your mouth, around your teeth, under your tongue, and around your face and neck for anything out of the ordinary. If you notice any changes or are experiencing pain or any of the symptoms above, contact us for an appointment.

Treatment for Oral Cancer or Oral Disease

During your consultation, we will examine your oral health and detect any additional abnormalities. Our offices are equipped with advanced 3D scanning technology that helps our doctors examine the bones and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions. Prior to any procedure, we will discuss your anesthesia and sedation options so you can choose the right type for your procedure and level of anxiety.

We may take a biopsy and send it to a lab for a diagnosis. The results of the diagnosis will determine the next steps for treatment. The results are often benign, but it’s important to rule out oral cancer as soon as possible. If the results indicate cancer, we can start treatment immediately for a potentially life-saving outcome.

Treatment for a pathological process in or around the mouth will vary depending on the size, location, and severity. Some conditions require antibiotics or other medications, while others require surgery to remove a lump or tumor. Throughout your entire treatment, you can expect our surgeons and staff to maintain full transparency and outline all of your treatment options so that together, we can make the right choice for your health.

Oral Pathology in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA

As oral health experts, it is our goal to catch and treat oral cancer or disease as soon as we can. If you notice any changes in or around your mouth, we can perform an examination and a biopsy to determine the next steps. Contact Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery today to schedule your oral cancer screening.