When you have sores, lumps, or other changes to your gums and oral structures, then you should let your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons know. As part of our approach to oral pathology, we can examine and diagnose these issues and discover whether you need a biopsy or treatment. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss when to seek treatment, and what happens after a diagnosis.
Your Exam and Diagnosis
The process starts with an exam. We need to assess the current state of your oral health, and aside from a visual examination of your teeth and gums, we will employ advanced imaging technology to gain high quality images of your teeth, gums, oral structures, roots, and jaws. These 3D images are in great detail. From there, we create a detailed diagnosis of the current state of your oral health. We will decide what treatments you will need, what surgeries could be used to restore your smile, and whether you need biopsy for possible problem areas. We may gently remove portions of the ulcer or lesions for examination in a lab setting.
When to See Our Team
Sometimes, the need for oral surgery is obvious, such as facial trauma that leads to damaged teeth or gums, or facial lacerations. But you should also be aware of other changes to your smile. For example, if you have sores or lesions that don’t heal after several days, or rough patches in your mouth, then we may need to perform a biopsy to see if these potentially cancerous or precancerous areas need treatment. We also want to see any ulcers or areas that even though they may not cause discomfort, could still lead to serious complications down the road. We could also suggest treatment should you lose a tooth, or should one become impacted, which means it only partially erupts, a complication that could lead to issues with smile stability and alignment.
What Happens Next?
If we take a biopsy or refer you to a specialist, you will find out more information about what comes next down the road. If we perform an oral surgical procedure, we will take steps to ensure your comfort including the use of advanced sedation, and then schedule follow-up visits to ensure a complication-free healing period. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Oral Pathology?
A diagnosis could help prevent major oral health issues from growing severe and leading to more uncomfortable symptoms. To learn more about preserving the health and beauty of your smile, or to schedule a consultation, call Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
