Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute

Oral Pathology / Biopsy

Did you go for an oral check-up where the dentist realized that your mouth has a lesion or other abnormality? He or she may have recommended an oral biopsy procedure. This procedure entails removing a small piece of tissue from the mouth. The pathologist uses this tissue to determine the cause of that lesion. This abnormality can be in the mouth’s soft or bone tissues. It means that the dentist will have to take a sample from the tooth, gum, or jaw.

An oral health issue could lead to some severe medical conditions. Thus, an immediate oral check-up is essential to save you from expensive medical treatment. Early diagnosis improves your chances of recovery and survival. If you want reliable and recommendable oral biopsy services, contact us today. We have the most experienced and qualified dentists with us. In this article we will discuss the Oral biopsy and how it can be helpful in the diagnosis of various diseases.

What Is An Oral Biopsy?


An oral biopsy is a medical procedure where the doctor removes tissues from your gum. He or she sends these tissue samples to the laboratory for further examination. The oral biopsy is the best way to diagnose lesions or abnormalities in gums, jaw, or tooth. A biopsy is an essential tool used for diagnostic purposes. With this tool, the pathologist can identify the primary cause of the abnormal growth.

Types Of Biopsy

An oral biopsy is the most reliable method of diagnosing any lesion or abnormality in the mouth. There is a wide range of biopsies that any pathologist can choose. These are:

  • Incisional biopsy
  • Excisional biopsy
  • Percutaneous biopsy
  • Brush biopsy

1. Incisional Biopsy

One of the commonest types of oral biopsy is the incisional variety. In this form of oral biopsy, the dentist removes a small piece of healthy tissue from the tooth or gum. He removes another one from the lesion. This type of biopsy is useful if you are doubtful about the health of gum tissues. It brings them under the microscope. The pathologist will take the gum tissue to the laboratory for comparison. He also analyses it. In an incisional biopsy, the dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the mouth. He only applies the anesthesia in the area where he wants to remove the tissues.

The incisional biopsy will show the presence of cancerous cells in the mouth. It will also point out where these cells came from.

2. Excisional Biopsy

The dentist uses an incisional biopsy where the lesions or the outgrowths are prominent. He may also choose to go for excisional biopsy. If the area is easy to access, then, the doctor will decide to remove them along with some of the healthy tissue. This procedure stops further damage. Thus, excisional biopsy acts as a diagnostic tool. It also plays a crucial role in preventing further spread or growth of the abnormal cells.

In an incisional or the excisional biopsy, the doctor will make a small incision in the numb area. This incision is for tissue collection. The use of local anesthetic will ensure that you won’t feel any pain. After the successful retrieval of tissues, the doctor must stop the bleeding.  To end it, he will go for either Electrocauterization or stitching. For the Electrocauterization process, we use a laser or an electric current. This seals the blood vessel and stops the bleeding. If the doctor uses stitches, he has two options: absorbable or non-absorbable. Stitches speed up the recovery process.

3. Percutaneous Biopsy

With a percutaneous biopsy, the dentist chooses to remove the lesions through needles. He makes a direct insertion into the skin. There are two types of needles available:

  • Fine needle: the dentist uses a needle to extract some cells from the lesion. The fine needle biopsy is best used in situations where the skin or the lesions are easy to detect.
  • Core needle: A core needle biopsy is ideal for the collection of more tissues for diagnosis. The doctor uses a circular blade to cut a section of the skin and then pulls it out. In core biopsy, there is rarely any bleeding involved, and the area heals by itself.

4. Brush Biopsy

All the procedures mentioned above are invasive. If you’re looking for a non-invasive method, then brush biopsy is the best option. In brush biopsy, the dentist will take the tissues for diagnosis by rubbing a brush on the abnormal gum area.

If your initial symptoms are not that alarming, then brush biopsy is a safe option for you. Once the diagnosis points to severe damage, then you can go for a more invasive form of biopsy.

The dentist uses a wide range of methods to remove the tissue sample from the mouth. He will only choose a method after doing an oral examination of the abnormality or lesion. He needs to know its exact location, and also the nature of the problem. You can see that the dentist does some biopsies by inserting a needle to remove the tissue. Other than that, there are cases where the dental surgeon will have to perform a core needle biopsy. For this case, the pathologist uses a blade instead of a needle in removing the tissue sample.

Also, the dentist may need to perform a brush biopsy in other cases. This type of biopsy is a non-invasive procedure. It works best for the growths located in the mouth region, which the pathologist can access. Here, the dentist uses a brush, rubbing it on the mouth area to collect a tissue sample.

Brush biopsy does not involve needles going into your skin. Thus, there is no need to administer an anesthetic. The brush biopsy involves a bit of discomfort and pain. But it is non-invasive, so there is no need for stitches afterward.

When Is A Biopsy Test Needed?

An oral or gum biopsy is the test to analyze any abnormal lesion or growths in the gums. If you have an abnormality in the mouth, then the dentist will suggest an oral biopsy test. He makes this step whenever he finds:

  • A lesion or a sore that lasts for more than two weeks and that bleeds easily
  • A reddish (erythroplasia) or whitish (leukoplakia) patch on gums.
  • Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
  • Abnormal swelling of gums that stays for more than a week.
  • A lump or thickening of the skin lining the inside of the mouth.
  • Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
  • Presence of sudden abnormalities in the gums that lead to tooth loss.

The dentist may also do a biopsy if he notices these symptoms on your cheeks, lips, tongue, palate, face, neck, and/or the gum tissue around your teeth. Pain does not always accompany the symptoms. Do not ignore suspicious sores or lumps. We will do the biopsy at our office and send it off to the pathologist for assessment. Oral biopsies usually heal very fast with no downtime.

Ulcers on gums

An oral biopsy is the most suitable method to diagnose any oral cancer in its early stages. With this diagnosis, chances of survival and timely treatment are enhanced manifold.

What Can an Oral Biopsy Show?

The tissues collected from an oral biopsy test are then sent to a pathology lab. The pathologist inspects them under the microscope for any problems. He or she then submits a lab report to your doctor.

Along with cancer, an oral biopsy test can also reveal various other abnormalities. These include;

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP):

TTP is a rare mouth condition caused by a severe blood clotting disorder. It leads to the bleeding of gums and severe mouth lesions and infections.

Systemic amyloidosis:

A medical condition where the body starts producing specific proteins knows as amyloids. The accumulation could be anywhere in the entire body, and sometimes it targets the mouth or the gum area.

It is always prudent to go for a brush biopsy at first. Do the results of that test point toward some severe problem? Then go for more invasive biopsy methods.

What To Expect?

A biopsy is a procedure performed by a dentist, a doctor, or most likely a periodontist. A periodontist specializes in all mouth and gum related diseases.

Procedure:

First, the periodontist will prepare the area for the biopsy. He sterilizes it with some topical solution. After this, he uses a local anesthetic to make the area numb. Once the problematic area gets numb, the doctor will go for tissue collection.

If there are complications, or if the lesion is hard to find, the doctor will use general anesthesia.

It’s common to feel numbness in your gums after your biopsy because of the anesthesia. But it will wear off within some hours and hence you can resume your regular diet. But there are some cases where the dentist may tell you to eat only soft foods for a few days. Also, there are some situations where the pain and soreness persist. Or, you may realize some abnormal swelling or bleeding. If you notice this, come back in to see the dentist right away.

Note that oral biopsy comes with a risk of infection. But these cases are rare. The dentist always prescribes antibiotics following the biopsy.

Oral biopsy has both pros and cons. But the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. An oral biopsy is the best tool for early identification of cancer so that patients can start timely treatment.

Why Are We Considered The Best Dentists in Beverly Hills?

Is this your first time with a dental problem? Do you want the professional and the experienced periodontist to handle it? There’s no better option than Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute. We offer you the best biopsy services. We also have extensive experience and profound knowledge in the field of Periodontology.

What makes make Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute the best place for an oral biopsy? Here’s why we’re the best:

· Professional And Cooperative Staff:

At Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute, you get the most experienced and professional doctors. Our nurses and other staff also work to ensure your early recovery. Our doctors will choose the best possible solution for your oral problem. We have loads of experience in the field of Periodontology.

· Soothing Environment:

Environment plays a crucial role in the recovery of a patient. At Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute, we have created a soothing, relaxing environment. We want to make your nerves calm. With our dedicated staff, we assure you the best medical services in town.

· Latest Equipment:

At Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute, we never compromise on technology. For us, technology is all about offering patients early recovery and less discomfort. We ensure the full touch with the latest developments in the periodontology field. At Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute, you find the latest tools and equipment for all kind of oral biopsy procedures.

· Great Client Care:

We’re confident enough to build lifelong relationships with our patients. We make sure to keep a check on their recovery. A patient can always contact us even after treatment if he or she has some trouble or inconvenience.

· Excellent Hygiene Practices:

At Beverly Hills Periodontal Institute, there is no tolerance for poor hygiene conditions. We’re a medical service provider. It is our responsibility to ensure a germ-free environment for our patients.

Don’t hesitate! If you are experiencing any abnormal lesion or swelling in your gums, then do not wait any longer. Come to us, and we will ensure your complete health through top-notch oral biopsy services.

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