Why Would I Need a Gum Biopsy?

Keeping your gums healthy is important, and issues such as gum disease or oral cancer can affect not only your dental health, but your overall health if left untreated. Attending your regular appointments in our office can help to get in front of any gum issues before they become serious. Our staff will clean and polish your teeth, and we will also evaluate your gum health, and perform an oral cancer screening.

If during your appointment our team notices a lesion or area of concern, we may recommend a gum biopsy. A gum biopsy is when we test an infected area to identify what may have caused the abnormal tissue to develop. Gum biopsies are very important, and can help identify the issue or stage of cancer that requires treatment.

Symptoms of Gum Cancer

• Bleeding gums
• Thick or unusual looking gum tissue
• Red, white, or dark patches on the gums
• Gumline cracks

How Does a Gum Biopsy Work?

During a gum biopsy we remove a sample piece of tissue from you gums or jaw to determine the cause of the abnormality. Local anesthesia is used, and the procedure itself is minimally invasive. If the area is hard to reach, we may recommend general anesthesia, but this is rarely needed. A pathologist can take a look at the tissue sample, determine the cause, and check if the tissue is cancerous.

What Can I Expect After My Gum Biopsy?

After the biopsy is complete your gums may still feel numb from the anesthesia. This should wear off after a few hours. Patients may feel tender or sore near the area where the biopsy took place. This should subside after a few days. If you notice prolonged pain or swelling, we recommend contacting our office right away, so we can take a look at the area. Risk for infection is rare, and patients can return to normal activity after a day or two.

Gum biopsies can save lives, and help us treat the issue promptly before it becomes worse. Patients can reach out to their insurance provider to review their benefits, and check to see what coverage is available should you need a gum biopsy.

Ready To Find Out More?

If you have an area of concern, or are due for your regular dental exam and cleaning, contact Orange County Center. Our doctors have years of experience in periodontics and treating gum disease, and love to help our patients. We always put your oral health first, and our passion is to help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Never hesitate to contact our office if you feel you have an issue or are in pain. Gum issues that are not treated can progress, and complications can occur if they are not treated promptly.

To schedule your appointment, contact Orange County Center, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

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