Oral Cancer Screenings
When a patient goes to their dental office for a routine checkup and cleaning, it is not uncommon for the Dentist to perform an Oral Cancer Screening Exam. The purpose of this exam is to detect any early signs of mouth cancer. When abnormalities are found in the mouth, you may be sent to a specialist for a biopsy.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample to determine if there is any cellular abnormality. In dentistry, teeth and gums are sent for biopsy. The role of a biopsy in dentistry is to diagnose oral cancer or systemic disease. In these instances, a small tissue sample is removed and sent to an Oral Pathologist who evaluates these samples for abnormalities. A report is sent back to the dental office where the Dentist can determine if further treatment is needed.