A biopsy is a medical and dental technology to diagnose illnesses or abnormal situations. For example, biopsies are routinely used in dentistry to identify mouth cancer, precancerous tumors, and other oral pathologies. Incisional biopsy is the most common biopsy in dentistry. This entails removing a tiny bit of tissue from the region of concern and sending it to a laboratory for further study.
Biopsies can give important information for diagnosing and treating various oral disorders, improving the patient’s oral health and well-being. Therefore, it is critical to understand the many types of biopsies and their reasons, common biopsy in dentistry, as well as the procedures and aftercare associated with a biopsy.
Table of Contents
ToggleAs mentioned, oral biopsies are surgical procedures that extract tissue from the patient’s mouth cavity for microscopic examination, generally to make a diagnosis.
If a lesion interferes with your oral function, a biopsy may be required to discover the reason so that appropriate therapy may be administered. There might also be inflammatory changes in the oral cavity or bone lesions that your dentist cannot detect with X-rays or clinical examination.
If your dentist believes you have oral cancer, they may recommend a biopsy. If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, a biopsy can assist in establishing the stage, extent, and source of the illness.
Oral and maxillofacial doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the neck, jaw, face, and mouth. At your appointment, you will be given a complete examination of your head and neck and an oral biopsy. Doctors may also recommend that you see an otolaryngologist (a doctor who specializes in nose, ear, and throat).
During your oral biopsy, a little sample of questionable tissue from your oropharynx or mouth will be taken and sent to a pathologist to be examined for illnesses. The information provided by the pathologist’s report will be used to create a tailored treatment plan.
Oral biopsies are classified into six types:
The surgeon uses a round brush to apply hard pressure while rotating it to pick up cellular material that will subsequently be transferred to a glass slide, conserved, and dried.
A needle and syringe are employed to extract a sample of cells or substances from a lesion. If the oral surgeon cannot drain fluid or air, this might indicate that the lesion is solid.
This sort of oral biopsy assists in the diagnosis of oral cavity lesions. Infections, herpes, or post-radiation alterations can all produce these lesions. Individual cells can be studied, but a precise and clear diagnosis may be impossible without an excisional or incisional biopsy.
Excisional biopsy eliminates minor oral lesions (usually less than 1 cm in size) that seem benign during a clinical evaluation.
A punch biopsy is another common biopsy in dentistry. It is most suited for identifying oral symptoms of ulcerative and mucocutaneous oral cavity disorders (including lichen planus).
Your surgeon will perform this sort of biopsy to get a representative sample of the oral lesion. If your oral lesion is extensive or has different features, you may need to sample more than one location.
When a disease or anomaly in the mouth requires additional study, an incisional biopsy is usually done. An incisional biopsy is the most common biopsy in dentistry. Local anesthetic is used to numb the region before making a tiny incision in the tissue to retrieve a sample of the afflicted area. Then, the sample is transported to a laboratory for microscopic inspection and diagnosis.
Incisional biopsies can be conducted using various methods, including punch biopsy, excisional biopsy, and needle biopsy. The type of biopsy utilized is determined by the lesion’s location and size and the clinician’s preference and skill.
The patient may suffer discomfort or inflammation following the biopsy, which may be treated with pain medication and cold packs. It is critical to follow the aftercare advice offered by the doctor, such as refraining from eating hot or spicy meals, smoking, or engaging in strenuous physical activity for a few days following the biopsy.
The biopsy findings are normally processed and reported to the patient within a few days to a week. If the biopsy reveals cancer or precancerous cells, the patient may be sent to a specialist for additional treatment, including surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
You can’t do much to prepare for your biopsy session. For example, if the biopsy is on a bone, your dentist will prescribe X-rays or CT scans first, and you will be asked not to eat anything for a few hours before the biopsy.
When you arrive, you are usually requested to rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Local anesthetic is often utilized, and you will most likely be awake throughout the surgery. If the lesion is in a difficult-to-reach mouth location, you may be given a general anesthetic.
A dental expert may suggest an oral biopsy for the following reasons:
Lesions are present
Certain lesions may make eating and speaking difficult. A biopsy may be required to determine the cause of the lesion and provide an appropriate diagnosis and therapy.
Oral cancer
If the dentist suspects a patient has oral cancer (cancer of the neck, mouth, and head), a biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. If the patient has already been confirmed to have oral cancer, a biopsy can assist in determining the stage, extent, and source of the malignancy.
During the process, you should feel a sharp needle prick or pinch as the local anesthetic is given or the needle is used to obtain the sample. The use of dental equipment may also result in some little pressure when collecting the sample.
Based on where the biopsy was done, the site may feel uncomfortable for several days after the anesthetic wears off. You should avoid hard meals and take pain relievers over the counter (Try not to take NSAIDS, which can enhance the risk of bleeding).
If the biopsy causes substantial discomfort, you may be provided pain medication.
A biopsy may be required to diagnose the cause and give suitable therapy if you have an oral lesion or anomaly. We realize the significance of precise diagnosis and excellent treatment for your dental health at our practice. Our skilled dental specialists utilize cutting-edge procedures and technology to conduct biopsies safely and quickly.
Dr. Foroughi of Atrium Dental in Phoenix, Arizona, is devoted to providing our patients with customized care and support throughout the biopsy procedure and beyond. Make an appointment with us now to take the first step toward a healthier, happier smile.
To discuss your dentistry options with an expert team, schedule a consultation at (480) 940-4321, and fill out our online appointment form.